Two in one day AND this is my longest chapter yet! This is for thaolu9 for the great idea of writing a jealous Kate. I have no idea if it worked, so I apologize now if this chapter sucks. :)

"Kate, you lost your way. You didn't lose your life." Castle spoke softly. He was joking with her, trying to lighten the mood when she dropped that response. It was heartbreaking to hear the description of her take on the last few months. It made it hurt just a little less to know that it had killed her just as much as it had killed him.

Kate's head hung low, her voice laced with emotion. "I am sorry, Rick. I am truly, deeply sorry for lying to you about Stack, DC, everything. I handled myself poorly and for that I will always be disappointed in myself."

"I forgive you." Castle whispered with just as much emotion.

Kate lifted her head. Her eyes caught his and their gaze locked. It had been so long since it felt this right staring into each other's eyes. Both had tears swimming in their eyes, as they held both released some of the pain that had built up over their separation. It was obvious to both Kate and Rick that they still had plenty to work through, talk about, even fight about. However, they were going to work, talk and fight. It was worth it. Their journey was far from over, they still had an always to get to.

"Do you remember, back when we first started working together, when you looked in to my mom's case? You found information and told me what you had done. I was so mad at you, Castle" Kate chuckled. "I wanted you to leave me alone, we worked our last case together, and said goodbye. I was ready for you to go, because my anger is what kept me going for so long. I couldn't trust you with this case or with my friendship. Then, you showed up and apologized. You were so sincere, more sincere than I had ever seen you before. That apology saved our friendship, our partnership, and eventually my life. That moment has stuck with me for 5 years. I hope you realize that I am coming to you, humbled, just like you came to me that day."

"It was Alexis." Kate looked at Castle with a question in her eyes so he continued. "Alexis came home upset about a boy. She said she didn't understand why guys had to make excuses about everything, that she just wished they would take responsibility for their actions. I realized I had done that to you. I had all the right reasons for opening up the case, and plenty of excuses to give you about going behind your back, but the bottom line was that I messed up. So, I apologized."

"I messed up, Rick. No excuses, no reasons, just… I am sorry."

"I know I played a part in where we are right now. I am sorry too, Kate."

"I forgive you." Kate said with a smile. She felt good.

A knock at the door alerted them to the visitor in Castle's room. They turned to see the ever dramatic Martha Rogers entering the room.

"Hello darling! Katherine. How are we doing today?"

"Mother. Nice of you to show up. Did you just wake for the day?"

"Don't listen to him, Martha. It's nice to see you again." Kate said politely.

"Nonsense! It's almost 8 pm Richard. I've been up for a few hours. I brought you dinner, and good news."

They had been so busy talking they hadn't been paying attention to anything, but their conversation. Now that food has been mentioned, and he can smell the dinner his mother brought, he realized he was starving. In fact, he felt more famished than he had ever felt before. He needed to eat. Now.

"Hand the food on over, Mother. You can talk while we eat." Castle replied.

The food was handed out. She had stopped at Remy's for burgers and shakes. Comfort food.

"Martha? You said you had good news?" Kate asked once all the food had been passed out.

"Oh, yes, dear. I am going out tonight with a surgeon. Actually, Richard, it was one of the surgeons that worked on you. He is such a nice man…"

"I am glad you could make my shooting work for your social life" Castle quipped.

"Oh, hush. I've made lemonade, dear. Besides, I can talk to him tonight, perhaps persuade him into letting you come home early."

"How kind of you Mother. Way to take one for the team."

Martha and Kate chuckled. It felt remarkably light in the room. It was shocking to think back in just the last 24 hours, how different everything already was. He was joking about his shooting with his mother, Kate was in his room enjoying the banter, and he himself felt… good. He stopped listening to Kate and his mother talk about the details for the evening; he didn't care to know the specifics. In a twisted sort of way, this bullet was one of the best things that has happened to him in a while.

"Richard?" Martha called to him, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Yes, Mother."

"How are you?"

Castle looked to Kate, but she wasn't in the seat any longer. He really must have spaced out to not even hear her leave.

Martha followed his eyes. "I asked her to give us a minute, I thought you heard."

"No, I uh… was thinking."

Martha looked into her son's face. She could read his so easily. "How are you?"

"I'm feeling fine. I'm still on these meds that make me fuzzy and narcoleptic. Apparently tomorrow I can start getting up and moving. Using the bathroom on my own. Super excited about that!" Castle joked.

"Good, that's good, dear. Not what I meant though." Martha gave him the look. She could see that he was stalling.

"I'm good. We are talking, being honest. It's actually been really good, to have her here."

"What does this mean? Are you and Katherine together?" Martha wasn't going to back down. She pushed him to really think and evaluate his feelings. He loved that she was always there for him, helping him to better himself.

"No, we aren't there yet. I'm not ready for that. I do know that we will get there though. I love her, Mom. As much as I thought I didn't, as much as I tried to deny it, she is it for me."

Martha nodded her head with a smile. "Don't wait too long. That's what got you into this mess in the first place." Martha winked.

With that she stood up, leaned over and kissed his head, and grabbed his hand. "I don't say this often, and I don't want you to get used to it, but I love you, my boy. I'm glad you're ok." Martha released his hand, pushed back her hair, and left in the same dramatic flair as she entered the room.

Castle had a soft smile on his face as he watched her leave. She was crazy, and flamboyant, and too much to handle sometimes, but he was so glad to have her. Martha could help him cut through his issues quicker than anyone. She didn't sugarcoat the truth. Martha Rogers was his sounding board, God help him.

She brought up a good point. He wasn't ready for a relationship yet. He needed a little time to make sure he could trust Kate again. His heart loved her, but that didn't mean it was ready to let her back in completely. So, how long should this wait be? When will he be ready for more? One thing he did know, was that it was when, not if. He was sure of that.

Another knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. Castle had been awake for the last few hours, without a nap, and he was losing focus quickly. He wasn't ready to sleep, but he knew he wouldn't be able to fight the pull much longer. He looked towards the door expecting to see Kate, but instead he found one of the most attractive nurses he had ever seen.

In fact, as he nodded for her to enter he realized that he knew this nurse. He had dated her a few times years ago. She had long, wavy blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, and was a perfect size 2. Basically, she was a dream girl. Jessica, that was her name, had been pretty fun. She was still going to nursing school then, recently left home for the first time, and looking to try new things. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, if you could even call it that. Rick would take her on rich, expensive dates, and in turn she would keep his mind off his divorce from Gina.

"Ricky! I saw your name and asked to be your nurse while I'm on shift tonight. I can't believe you've been shot." Nurse Jessica said in a voice just a little too high for his liking. Great, he was going to have to make awkward small talk with an ex-girlfriend while she changes his bandages, near mostly naked backside.

"Well, you know me… I'm always looking for trouble." Castle tried to joke.

"Hey, Castle, I brought you some… Oh. Sorry, I didn't realize you had company." Kate said while entering his room. Perfect. Two ex-girlfriends in the room. This wasn't awkward at all.

"No, it's fine. Kate, this is Jessica. She is my nurse for tonight."

"I'm just catching up with Ricky here. Making sure his wound site is kept clean and infection free." Jessica said with an all too sweet smile on her face to Kate. She turned to Castle, "Ricky, I was so worried about you when I saw what had happened on the news. I just couldn't imagine the pain you must have been in, how scared you were. Poor baby."

Who the hell was this chick and why the hell did she think she could talk to Ricky this way? Oh, Kate was fuming. She had to bite her tongue to keep from shouting out to shut the hell up or tell her that it was none of her damn business. She clenched her fists to keep her anger in check.

"It was fine, Jess, really. The NYPD caught the guy, and I'm just glad it all worked out ok." Castle said with his "I'm a bestselling author voice and smile". Maybe if he kept the conversation light she would finish up and leave quickly. This was such an awkward situation. He kept looking at Kate, her expression was hard to read, but he could tell she was just as uncomfortable.

Jessica leaned closer as she finished changing the bandages. "It looks good, Ricky. Mmm, so does the wound." Jessica ran her hand from the bandage down to just above his boxers. "Your butt is still as cute as I remember." She whispered the last sentence to him, but Kate was able to hear it.

"Thanks Jess. We will call if we need you." Kate announced. She felt like punching this bitch for touching him.

Jessica caught the look Kate was giving and realized maybe she had read the situation wrong. Rick Castle had been reported as single again on Page 6 so she thought she had been given a 2nd shot with him. Clearly the lady in the room was more than just a friend. Damn.

"Ricky? Is there anything else I can get you?" That didn't mean she couldn't mess with him for old time's sake.

"No, we are good. Thanks Jess."

"Call if you need me, for anything." She said with a wink. She leaned in one more time and kissed his cheek.

Kate was seeing red.

As soon as she left the room and shut the door Kate said, "Who the hell was that, Ricky?"

"Um… Jessica?"

"Oh, believe me. I caught her name. What I want to know is who she is."

"I've known her… for a while. This is the first time I've seen her in probably 8 years." Damn right he isn't going to say much else. Kate looked pissed and he wasn't sure how to handle this.

Kate narrowed her eyes. "Why does she call you Ricky? Ugh! Ricky?! You are NOT a Ricky."

"Well, she was… um… we dated. 8 years ago. Kate, I swear I haven't seen her since I broke up with her." He isn't sure why he felt like he needed to defend himself. It's not like this was his fault. Kate just seemed so mad… too mad…?

"I don't like her. What was that anyway? I saw her touch your butt, Castle. That is sexual harassment!" Kate's voice was getting louder and she was growing more animated as the conversation continued. This was a new Kate. A Kate he wasn't used to…

Oh. He remembers one other time when she was this worked up. It was right after they had started dating and she caught that TV lady kissing him on his fake date with her. This was Jealous Kate. Oh, he loved Jealous Kate.

Castle smirked. "You are jealous of Jessica." He was trying so hard not to laugh.

"I am not jealous! I just can't believe you are ok with how unprofessional "Jess" was acting towards you."

"You are so jealous!" Castle said. His grin was ear to ear.

"She kissed you, Castle! I haven't even kissed you. This is NOT jealousy, so stop saying that." Kate felt outraged. It was even more maddening knowing that Castle wasn't even upset. In fact, it looked like he was enjoying it!

"Oh! So this is what this is about. Jealous Kate is upset that Nurse Jessica kissed me before she did. Don't worry, Kate. You have nothing to be worried about." Yep, he was enjoying this.

Kate narrowed her eyes at him. She would not admit to being jealous. Nope, no way. That little smirk on his face was only making it worse. So, before she could stop herself, Kate leaned in and kissed the smirk right off his face. She had done it so many times in the past that at first she hadn't even realized what she had done. Then, she realized what was happening.

She was kissing Rick Castle.

Damn, it felt good. It wasn't a passionate kiss, or a sweet peck on the lips. It was just… right. Time stood still as they reconnected physically.

She pulled away after a few seconds. She was still hovering over his bed. Kate couldn't make herself step back from him. Instead, she found their eyes, once again, locked on to each other. She was worried that she had gone too far. They hadn't talked about boundaries yet. She pulled her bottom lip in and bit it, waiting to see what his reaction would be.

Castle was speechless. All coherent thoughts left when their lips had touched. Even now, after she pulled away, he still couldn't make his brain process the kiss from Kate.

"Wow." Castle finally breathed out.

"Wow? Is that a good wow or a bad wow?" Nervous Kate. He liked Nervous Kate almost as much as Jealous Kate.

"Good. Definitely good. Feel free to kiss me every time you feel jealous, Kate."

She chuckled. Good, he wasn't upset. She finally decided that standing this close was approaching Castle creepy so she stepped back and sunk into her chair.

"I wasn't jealous." Kate smirked. They both knew better than to believe her.

"Whatever you say, dear."

Before Kate could respond, Castle yawned. It was getting late, and he hadn't slept for hours. She felt bad for keeping him from resting like the doctor had asked for. She was so involved in trying to fix their relationship that she monopolized his time. Damn. She kept making stupid mistakes.

"Castle. I am sorry, I should've been resting today…."

"Stop, Kate. It's fine. I've been fine. I've slept plenty…"

"You need to rest more. It's the only way to heal faster. I'll just…"

"No. Don't go… please?"

Their little constant interrupting would have been cute if they had been paying more attention to what they were doing. Castle kept cutting her off to stop her from apologizing for no reason, and Kate's guilt made her interrupt his refusal.

"Castle, I'm not going anywhere." Kate didn't understand why he was questioning this now. She thought they covered this today.

"I don't want to sleep alone… the nightmares…" Castle trailed off. He wasn't ready to talk about it. Luckily, he wasn't quite as stubborn as Kate when it came to asking for help. He knew she could help him fight the darkness that was sure to come in his dreams.

Kate grabbed his hand. "You aren't alone anymore. Go to sleep, I'll help keep the monsters away."