I changed the rating to M because of language. Please let me know if you want more of the story. Or if it is time to end.
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Rick followed Kate into the en suite bathroom. She began filling the oversized tub. She adjusted the water tempeture after sticking her fingers into the water stream. Satisfied she turned around and was surprised to find Rick standing in the bathroom fully clothed staring into space.
Seeing him hurt physically and mentally was too much. Her temper raged. She had to stop herself from going upstairs and dragging little Castle down the stairs by her pretty red hair. She wanted to scream at her. You selfish little bitch. Your Dad has been to hell and back for you and this is how you repay him. Fucking Pi in his office. Seriously!
Okay first things first, she told herself. Take care of Castle he needs you. Little Castle later. They will have words alright. When everyone is calm my ass! Okay time to focus.
"Babe, take off your clothes and get in the tub." She said gently to Castle
"Here let me help you with your shirt."
Kate gingerly removed his shirt. Then she helped him remove his pants and his batman boxers. She smiled. She loved he wore superhero underwear. It was just so him.
She was shocked at how bruised his entire chest was. His back was bruised from crashing through the glass table. "Oh, that is going to hurt like hell tomorrow." She told him.
"It must be tomorrow, because it already does." Castle quipped.
He climbed into the tub easing into the water. The warmth felt good. He leaned back and closed his eyes.
Kate knelt by the tub. She picked up the bath sponge, squirted some of Castle's musky scented body wash on it. She worked it into lather and began to wash him. She was really enjoying this.
"Um, that feels good. I thought you were joining me." Castle sighed.
"Sssh let me take care of you for once." Kate was keeping her voice soft and low. She could tell he was beginning to relax.
She took the hand held sprayer and wet his hair. When she began massaging the shampoo into his scalp. He actually moaned with pleasure.
"Time to rinse you off, tilt your head back a little bit." That's it" she said. She rinsed the shampoo from his hair and replaced the sprayer. She took a washcloth and began to tenderly wash his face. She bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. She loves this face. She loves this man. The tears welled up in her eyes.
Castle opened his eyes when he her heard her sniffle.
"Kate?
"I love you so much." She kissed him
"I love you too" He replied as soon as her lips left his. He reached for her.
She squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"It's time to put some ice on that chest. Let's get you out of the tub. She lowered the lever for the drain to empty the tub.
Kate helped him stand up and step onto the bath mat. She wrapped one of his bath towels around him. She got out a smaller one and dried his hair. She loved his towels. They were so luxurious. All his linens felt like you were in a five star Hotel. This man surrounded himself with comfort.
"Stay in here, I'm going to get you something to sleep in. I'll be right back.
"I'll brush my teeth while I wait." He told her.
Castle had just finished rinsing out his mouth when Kate returned with his favorite green lantern t-shirt, and a pair of boxers.
She made sure he was dried off. Then she helped him get dressed and ready for bed.
"Okay" she said time for bed. She walked over and turned down the covers on his side of the bed.
Castle came over and slid under the covers.
Kate leaned over kissed the top of his head and said "I'll be right back."
She headed into the kitchen and took a couple of bags of peas from the freezer. She filled a glass of water and started back toward the bedroom. She paused midway and listened. She hadn't heard any sound from Alexis or Pi. Right now that was probably for the best.
Castle, you need to drink a little bit of water to dilute the scotch you drank tonight. He sat up and took the glass from her hand and took a drink. He surprised himself when he handed her back the glass and it was over half empty. He didn't realize he was so thirsty.
"Lay back" she told him.
I'm going to put the peas on your chest. They will help with the swelling and the pain.
She laid the bags of peas on his chest.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded and replied "Yea, I'm good."
"I'm going to get ready for bed. I'll just be a minute."
Kate turned and headed into the bathroom. She picked up the wet towels and put them in the hamper. Used the toilet, and brushed her teeth. She wanted to shower, but she didn't want to leave Castle for that long. She would shower in the morning she decided. She changed into a sleep shirt and then switched off the light and headed into the bedroom. She slid in the bed and moved closer to him.
She felt him turning toward her. She laid her hand on his chest.
"Be still; you need to keep the peas in place."
She inched closer to him. She began to lightly stroke the pads of her finger tips across his forehead, moving her fingers in a slow and in a steady rhythm to calm him.
She felt him start to relax. She continued with the light ministrations. His breathing slowed and deepened.
She was startled when he cried out "Kate!"
"I'm here, babe" she increased the pressure on her finger tips to show him she was right beside him.
She leaned up on her elbow and flipped the bags over on his chest. Turning the cold side down onto his chest.
"Thank you" he said "For staying for taking care of me."
"Always" she declared.
"Rick, I've never told you how much I appreciate all of the little things you do for me. It makes me feel" she paused for a moment and came up with the word. "Loved"
He smiled.
He knew in that moment. She was all in. She loved him, not the famous writer Richard Castle. The geeky, sometimes clumsy. Richard Alexander Rodgers.
"It's time for you to get some rest. We have to be up early, for our first day back. Now that we are official partners, and sanctioned by Gates and the Chief of Police."
"The sexy detective and her official consultant, hey do you think I could have a badge that says consultant on it? Too much? "I know a guy who could make me one he thought. He could feel her roll her eyes even in the dark.
She reached over and flipped the bags over onto the floor. Pulled the cover up across his chest. She leaned up and gave him a kiss. "Goodnight"
"Goodnight….. Kate" he said "Now that Alexis is moving out, again! You could move in with me. I mean really move in. I know you have some stuff here. Bring all your things. No more your place my place just our place." When she didn't shut him down right away he added. If you want, we can get a new place. I just don't want to be apart anymore."
"Okay" she said
"Okay you want to move in, or okay you want to find a place?"
"Okay I'll move in, if you promise to be quite and go to sleep.
"Are you sure you don't want to look for another place..."
"Castle!"
"Shutting up now" He picked up her hand and placed it onto his forehead.
He could feel her smile even in the dark.
She stroked his forehead and listened to the sound his breathing becoming slower and deeper as he fell asleep.
