Ch. 6 In The Middle Of The Night

Kate woke with a startled cry. She bolted upright in bed and grabbed the side of her bed. But to her disliking, Rick wasn't there, where he had been a couple nights ago. The side of the bed was cool to the touch, long gone was the warmth of him. She bowed her head in her hands and cried. She wanted to hear him tell her how goofy she was. She wanted to say she loved him and to prove it. She cradled her legs close to her chest and let the tears pour down on her knees.

"Why didn't you tell me Rick? What thing from your past has come back? Who did this?" She quickly tossed the covers aside when she heard her phone ring. She briskly answered and was relieved to hear Alexis.

"I hope I didn't call you too early."

"No. Please, tell me."

"He moved his fingers and he smiled. I thought that you would want to know. If you want to see for yourself you can. I don't want to pull you away from your work."

"Are you kidding? I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you Alexis."

"Thank you too."

Kate promptly pulled her hair into a ponytail while clawing at her clothes. She yanked a crisp navy blue, dress shirt off the hanger and buttoned it up in record time. She jumped into a pair of skinny, black pants and pulled her look together with a pair of red suspenders. She gave her look a quick glance in the mirror and admired her choice for vintage clothing. She kneeled before her shoes and decided on a pair of white and brown saddle shoes. She slid them on and packed up her purse and headed to Rick.

"Hey Rick. I hear you are smiling. Thinking of me are we?" Kate smirked and quietly chuckled while she squeezed his fingers. She locked her eyes on his in hopes of seeing them open. Without prevail she dropped her gaze onto his fingers.

There was a knock on the door and when she turned her head, there stood Rick's doctor. Doctor Brooks moved in swiftly and he showed sympathy.

"I think I told you what his condition was. Didn't I?"

"In plain words you did. But what is his exact condition called?"

He took notice of their hands and smiled to himself. "A cerebral hemorrhage. And unfortunately, we just have to wait and see. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

He seemed sincere, so Kate took a chance. "Don't tell me if it's bad. I want you to lie to me but, is there hope?"

He took in her soft, graceful look of desperation and was elated. "Of course there is hope. I expect a full recovery. And you want to know why?" He took a seat in the chair that Kate had spent most of her time in. His light and flimsy gray hair brushed his shoulders and added to his boyish charm. His steel gray eyes made him more like a storybook doctor than a real one. He looked at her with the same respect that her dad had. It was a lost quality on people.

"Yes. I want to know everything."

"Because he is showing speedy improvement. I honestly didn't expect him to progress at this rate." She looked worried, so he quickly reassured her. "That's a good thing by the way."

She smiled with relief and tossed her hopeful gaze back on Rick.

"I will leave you now." He patted her knee before departing.

"You hear that Rick? You are doing so good. I just wish you could be with me, you know talk to me." She picked his right hand up to her lips to kiss before cradling his palm along her cheek. Tears collected under her eyes before pouring down her face.

Suddenly, the hand she was clutching jerked. She lifted her head and caught his eyes fluttering.

"Kate?" Rick's baby blues locked their sight on Kate's honey eyes.

"Rick?! Oh my gosh. Doctor! Nurse!"

Within minutes, all the tubes were removed from him and he was set up in his own room. Kate had let Alexis have some alone time before she moved on to go to work after Rick's convincing.

Now Kate was sitting on the bed with him and just letting him hold her. She was pouring into him in everyway she could. She kept kissing him and feeling the strength of his arms around her. How he could make her feel safe just by holding her was always a wonder. But she was determined to bask in it as long as she could.

"Hey Kate?" His voice was still a little raspy but with all the tubes that were in him, it was to be expected.

She looked at him and observed him slowly. Her eyes were taking him all in as if they could forget what he looked like. "Yes?"

He brushed her cheek and smiled. "You are so beautiful." His face spread wider, compensating for his overgrown smile.

"You broke the silence for that?" She gave him a steely look but broke into a grin.

"No. But I thought it needed to be said. I broke the silence to ask; don't you need to be at work?"

"I already talked to the Cap and the boys say they're on it. I trust them. Besides with you is where I want to be." She slid up closer to him and gave him her best sultry look.

"Don't you dare get me all worked up. We are in a hospital so there is nothing you could do for me. And I appreciate that you want to be with me but you should be at work. They need you." He smiled apologetically, knowing that he no doubt hurt her feelings a little.

"You don't want me here? I have waited forever for you to be ok. And now that I know you are, you aren't going to get rid of me! Unless you really don't want me here then I will go." She made a move to slide off the bed but he quickly pulled her arm.

"Kate. You know that is not what I meant. Of course I want you here. I am one of those few men who understand that you need to work. You really love your work and I am just trying to help. Besides, I will be out of here in a couple of days and then I'll be out." He rubbed her back, that was left facing him.

She turned enough to get a look at him. "I appreciate you understanding my love for my work but, I want to be here with you. I will make a deal." Now she turned her whole body towards him. "I get to stay another hour, then I will go to work."

"Fair." But she held her hand up to stop him from talking.

"I get to keep you. When you get out and you are still on leave, you are staying with me. And I want no objections. Ok?" She waited for him to say something but he just smiled. "Aren't you going to input something?"

"I am not Johnny 5 so no. But I will say this, no objections here." He smirked and she reached out and smacked him.

"I love you Rick." She quickly scooted closer and leaned down and gently kissed him. When she focused back on his face she saw his closed eyes.

"I want those lips back please." He reluctantly opened his eyes but tried to take her in as eloquently as possible, savoring the moment. "I love you too Kate." He pulled her back down and caressed her cheek as he kissed her.

They were both pulled away by the knock at the door. Doctor Brooks stood in the doorway and once he had both of their attentions, he came in.

"Glad to see my patient is doing better. How are you feeling?"

She bowed her head down in embarrassment and she hid her face from the flush of color in her cheeks.

"Feeling pretty good actually. My head and chest are a little sore but that's to be expected when you have someone try to kick your ass."

"Try? They did." Kate took the opportunity to get a little flustered.

"Not too badly." He attempted to laugh it off but by the serious look in her face he stopped. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry." He quickly tried to relieve the tension by turning to the doctor. "When I can get out of here?"

"Not enjoying the five star living quarters?" He laughed but took on a more serious note. "In two days. One day for testing, that's today. One day of rest and test results. Ok with you?"

"It will have to do." Rick smiled and shook Doctor Brooks hand before the doctor left.

"Rick, don't joke about this. It's important to catch who did it to you." She was going to question him but took one notice of the look he held and decided better on it. "How will I know you are safe. They could still be after you." She knew she was being clingy and too concerned but in her defense, he did just get attacked, and by people he knew. She grabbed his right hand in hers and locked her fingers through his.

"Babe, don't worry. Whoever they were, they're gone now. I am fine now. Please don't worry about me, besides I am dating New York's Finest. Both true about looks and the job." He smiled childishly, then pulled on her hand for a hug. Once he wrapped his arms around her, she seemed to ease up.

"I am still going to worry about you. But I understand where you are coming from." She whispered lightly before removing herself from him. "Are you hungry?"

"For food? Maybe. You?"

"Kind of. I am going to grab a couple muffins and coffee. Sound good?"

"Sure does." He grinned and was entirely happy.

"I'll be right back. Try not to get into trouble while I am gone." She beamed a smart ass grin his way before she left.

"Your hour is up." Rick glanced at the clock and frowned.

"But we were having so much fun."

They ate the breakfast Kate quickly purchased then spent the remainder of the time talking about Kate's new case. She told him about the weird crime scenes and the lack of evidence. He gave his input, expressing more than ever that she needed to be there to stop him. Before they knew it her hour had ended.

"You can come back later. And you can always call." He rubbed her knee and tried to reassure her of his safety, even though he doubted he was entirely safe.

"But you better answer. Promise." She opened her eyes wide enough to express how serious she was.

"I promise. Now go protect New York City." He kissed her lightly and watched her slide off his bed.

She quickly checked her shoes to see if they needed re-tying. When she finished adjusting her suspenders she caught him stifling a laugh.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"No. I was just thinking how adorable you are and I am chuckling like an idiot."

"Well, you are right. You are an idiot and I am adorable. You know I wear only vintage."

"Yes I do and that's one of things I have always loved about you."

"Good. Now bye. And remember to answer if I call."

"Deal."

She waved goodbye but turned around for one last look. He waved her off and she reluctantly left.

Once she left his room, Rick rubbed his forehead in worry. He knew who attacked him but he couldn't tell her. She would be mad at him for not telling her when he decided to confess everything about his past. He wasn't entirely sure she would understand his decision not to tell her. He knew he had to handle it on his own.

But how can I keep it from her? She is surely bound to figure out who did it. When she does she will be furious. What do I do? Way to go Rick. Get yourself in a pickle and especially one you can't get out of. He wants blood. Mine.