All the medical stuff in this story is done by research and a tiny bit of knowledge so sorry if it isn't accurate. Thanks for the follows favs and nice reviews.

Someone said that Kate was hypocritical in the last chapter, in some ways she was but in my mind they have settled what has happened in the past in the course of their relationship.

Chapter 5: Early

It was the second full day that Castle had been there when for the fifth time in less than forty five minutes Kate had felt what she initially thought to be more Braxton Hicks contractions but was beginning to think they were real as she was experiencing increasing pressure in her abdomen. After brief consideration it was time that she sought medical advice.

"Castle, can you get me my phone please?"

"Sure," He replied as he brought her the phone, sitting down next to her "Why do you need it?"

Kate unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found her doctor then tapped 'call' "I need advice, I think-" Kate paused as the phone was answered. "Hi, yes, it is Kate Beckett. I think that I might be in preterm labour." She felt bad for not telling him before especially the look on his face when she was told the nurse who had answered the call. Kate told the symptoms to the nurse while Rick only looked on.

Rick was the first to speak when she hung up. "What did she say?"

"Go to the hospital to get checked and see where we go from there."

"Why didn't you tell me, Kate?" Rick asked with a voice laden with worry and concern.

"At first I didn't think it was more than Braxton Hicks until I had two more and I didn't want to worry you if it wasn't."

"Kate, tell me everything, please for your sake and for the sake of the baby."

"Okay, will you go grab the bag? I hope we don't need it but better to be prepared." Kate asked referring to the bag they had prepared should she go into labour.

"Sure, I'll call the car."

"Thanks."

An hour later Kate had been told that she was in preterm labour but they were going to administer Magnesium Sulphate to try to postpone the labour giving a chance for her son a greater chance.

She had been warned of the side effects of the drugs nonetheless agreed anyway, hours of discomfort for her would be nothing compared to anything that might happen to her son.

Rick hadn't left her side since they had arrived at the hospital something that she was eternally grateful. He'd seen her at her worst; he'd been there for the past two days just like old times. She believed that he was back. She hadn't thought as far as to what she was going to do once she was discharged.

When she cried she wasn't embarrassed, he just held her. When she was sick, he held the basin for her. Four hours since the Magnesium Sulphate was first administered and she was wondering why it had to be so hard. She doesn't even remember feeling this bad when she had been shot.

Kate had told Rick to keep their family and friends away not wanting to have anyone see her in her current state. She slept a lot because of the lack of energy but she hoped that it would all be worthwhile. Only their family actually knew that Kate was in hospital and why; Martha, Alexis and Jim were all alert should anything else happen and sent their best wishes and offer of support.

As each hour passed that Kate seem to show more symptoms Rick became more concerned even when the medical staff told him that it was normal. He would do anything to get Kate out of the current situation but there wasn't a better alternative. It was the lesser of evils. If Alexis was going to do any medical research into drugs at any point in her life then he would give her a suggestion given Kate's current predicament.

On more than one occasion Kate had told him to stop staring at her because it was still creepy and now annoying. She hated it when people looked at her, not just in her current state but for as long as she could remember. It made her self-conscious always thinking that there was something wrong.

It was nearly thirty six hours since they arrived at the hospital, Kate had been half asleep since the nurse last came to take her blood pressure and pulse. Rick's attention was brought when the monitors strapped to Kate suddenly beeped more frequently.

"Kate, Kate, answer me please?" When he didn't get an immediate response he hit the call button for a nurse.

"Cassle," Kate said, her voice wavering and strained like each word was painful "look after him. Tell him about me, about the good times. Tell him I loved him."

"No, Kate don't-" He paused as the beeping increased. "HELP."

"I wrote him letters. They're…" Kate tried as her speech slurred, "in the box, at home."

"HELP, somebody." Rick shouted louder than before. "C'mon, Kate" He said as he saw her eyes closing "tell me about the letters." He just wanted to keep her talking.

"I love you, Cassle." Kate replied quietly before she lost consciousness; the monitors now sounding even louder. Fortunately a nurse and a doctor came running through the doors.

They read the monitors and reacted immediately. He couldn't understand what they were saying, everything was happening so fast. He could just see Kate lying there unresponsive.

He heard them call for porters then the doctor spoke to him,

"We're going to have to take her to surgery."

"What about the baby?" Rick asked.

"The drugs have had enough time to work so hopefully he'll be okay. We're going to have to deliver him."

"What about Kate?"

"We'll do our best, Sir." While the doctor was trying to be reassuring and not make any promises that she couldn't keep, it didn't do anything for Rick. He followed as they wheeled Kate off to the operating theatres until they reached the staff only area. He sat on one of the chairs placed opposite the doors, head in hands with tears filling his eyes.

Thank you for reading.

Sorry if the medical stuff isn't 100% right. I'm a first aider and Maths student