A/N: Okay, before you bombard me with pitchforks, saying how I promised to update sooner, let me inform you that I gave this to my editor LAST Wednesday and got it back yesterday, so blame her not me. Next, let me tell you this is my longest (and favorite) chapter so far and I hope that makes up for it. Happy reading!

When Kate arrived at Rick's hospital room she was met with a frazzled Martha who was going over the papers for Rick's release. Kate smiled at the woman and was met by a simple head nod. Alexis stood across the room next to a perky blonde nurse, who was giving her instructions on how to take care of Rick. Alexis's brow was furrowed as she listened intently, nodding slowly. Kate paused and took in the nurse. She was blonde and pretty and the exact kind of girl the old Rick would flirt with. Kate felt jealousy surge inside her, remembering it was the 'old Rick' she was with. Forcefully, she pushed her emotions down and continued to scan the room. The subject of the girl's conversation was sitting upright in his hospital bed. Rick smiled at Kate when their eyes finally met and Kate returned the smile with equal fervor. However, Kate did notice the smile Rick gave her was the smile he gave everyone else. He no longer remembered the smile he reserved especially for her. It was a smile Kate hadn't seen in weeks. It was a smile Kate missed profoundly. There had been no memory jolts for Rick in the prior weeks and Kate couldn't decide if that was a good or bad thing. Little things she loved about him were gone, not to mention the fact he was no longer in love with her, but he was safe and that meant more to Kate than anything.

Rick looked at Kate with a puzzled expression, and Kate realized she'd been staring. Blushing, she quickly turned her gaze to the floor, nodding her apology. Rick merely chuckled and watched as she joined the conversation with Alexis and the nurse. When Alexis, once noticing Kate, gave her a quick hug and Rick smiled like an idiot while he watched the entire exchange. A new feeling blossomed in his chest at the sight of Alexis and Kate together. He didn't know exactly what it was but he knew he could get used to it.

Kate tossed glances at Rick while he pretended to listen to the old, grey nurse who was giving him instructions over his release. His head was nodding but his eyes were wandering, occasionally meeting Kate's, who's turned away quickly, making Rick laugh.

When they were finally ready to leave the doctor bid them farewell and the perky blonde nurse rolled Rick's wheelchair to the front doors before Alexis took over. Kate watched as the nurse whispered in Rick's ear and slipped him a scrap of paper. Rick looked elated and smiled at the nurse. Kate's face grew red with anger. Alexis averted her eyes but Kate shot an unnoticed death glare at the audacious nurse. She had half a mind to rip the paper from Rick's hand and remind him he loved her, but that wasn't going to help anyone. Instead she turned away from the two and sped up to walk with Martha.

She sighed deeply in front of the woman, who said, "Don't worry Kate. Once he gets to know you that Rick will disappear. It did the last time." Kate relaxed just a little but still refused to turn around. She pushed through the hospital doors and was blinded by the bright, flashing lights of newspaper photographers.

"Detective Beckett! Detective Beckett! What can you tell us about Mr. Castle's condition? Is it true he lost his memory? Why are you with the family? Are you two in a relationship? Detective Beckett!" Kate stood wide eyed as a jumble of photographers snapped her picture and shouted questions at her. Kate made no attempt to respond, instead stood awestruck in the doorway.

"Come on dear," Martha said wrapping an arm around Kate and pulled her through the hole in the crowd hospital security had made for them, and into a town car a few feet away. Kate slid into the back seat, still stunned and watched as cameras bombarded Alexis and Rick as she rolled her father to the car. One of the nurses helped seat Castle next to Kate in the car and Martha and Alexis slid in next, shutting the door to the array of flashing lights.

"Man, it's been a while since that's happened," Alexis muttered.

"Kate, you can blink now," Martha prodded.

"Right, sorry," Kate said, her eyes still wide. "That was just…wow. I've never seen so many cameras."

"That usually happens when you're with someone famous," Rick said cockily, glancing at Kate.

"No…it doesn't. I've known you for three years and there have never been that many cameras near you…ever," she replied.

"Really?" Rick asked, looking at Alexis.

"Since you've met Kate, you've kind of renounced your 'playboy' title, Dad," she responded.

"It's true, kiddo."

"Oh…" was all Rick said.

The car continued through New York traffic, reaching the lost almost a half an hour later. Alexis and Martha guided Rick out of the car, while Kate stood idly on the sidewalk, waiting if they needed any help. Successfully they got Rick onto the sidewalk, in only a little pain, and rolled him up to an expecting apartment.

Martha unlocked the door and the party stepped inside the Castle loft. Castle's eyes scanned the room as Alexis pushed him into the living room. Everything was in its same place, not because they had cleaned it but because no one spent a lot of time there. Martha was usually out with friends and Alexis had begun to spend a great deal of time at Kate's apartment.

"Well it looks the same," Rick commented.

"Yeah, we never really changed the anything," informed Alexis. She watched as Rick picked up a family photo from a side table.

"That's good."

The ladies watched as Rick surveyed the room from his wheelchair, and noticed how his eyelids slowly started to fall.

"Come on Dad, you look really tired. You should take a nap."

"Yeah, okay. Room still in the same place?"

"Yup. Let's go," Alexis said with a slight chuckle, pushing her father's wheelchair into his room. "I'll be out in a minute," she called over her shoulder. When father and daughter disappeared from view Martha turned to Kate.

"Thank you, Kate, for all of you help, but I suppose you are ready to leave." Martha looked at Kate with tired but thankful eyes, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Actually," Kate started, "I'd rather stay, if you don't mind."

"Well, don't you have work in the morning?"

"Gates decided to give me the next two days off, so it's no problem." Kate held back her sarcastic tone, trying not to show Martha how unhappy with Gates she really was.

"Fantastic, then! I'm afraid the guest room is taken, but the couch is very comfortable and I'm sure we can find you pillows and blankets." There was a pause. "To be honest, the first time you spent the night I expected it to be in Richard's room," Martha laughed, giving Kate an obvious wink. Kate's eyes grew wide at Martha's statement, but the woman continued to give Kate a 'knowing' look.

"No Martha, we're just friends," Kate said, throwing in a laugh that sounded completely fake. Martha gave Kate a 'look' but before she could say anything Alexis appeared.

"So he's out," Alexis said, walking out of Rick's room. "What do you guys want for dinner?"

"Ummm...I don't really care. I'm not all that hungry. You two can decide," Kate responded.

Martha and Alexis exchanged a glance, not unnoticed by Kate.

"What?" she asked. Alexis shook her head.

"It's nothing."

"What?" Kate repeated, a little more forcefully.

"Well dear, it's just since Richard was shot you seem to have...lost some weight," Martha explained.

"Oh," Kate sighed, glancing at herself. "Yeah I guess I have. It's just because I've been so caught up in the case, I guess food hasn't really been a priority."

"What about sleep?" Martha asked. "You look exhausted."

"I guess that's taken a backseat, too." She admitted.

"Kate," Alexis started, "we know you care about Dad, but please don't kill yourself trying to solve his case. You're more important to us." Kate felt a pang in her chest. It was something she had not felt for about a month. Warmth? Happiness? But how could she be happy? Her case was put on hold. Kate rejected the pang and realized it was time.

"Thanks." Kate smiled but then crinkled her forehead. "Since you brought up the case, I have something I need to tell you. Gates, she told us to stop 'officially' investigating. We haven't had any new leads in weeks and I don't know what other avenues there are," her eyes began to water, "and I feel like I'm letting your family down but we have nothing. And I promise not to stop looking into this but officially the case is cold." She finished, inhaled deeply, and waited to be thrown forcefully from the apartment. Instead, Alexis grabbed her and pulled her into a fierce hug. Kate nearly lost it but she knew she couldn't. Instead she held in her unshed tears and used it as an opportunity to rebuild herself. She's really missed being surrounded by people who loved her.

"You're not letting us down, Kate," she whispered into the detective's shoulder. "We know you've been doing absolutely all you can and maybe a little break would be beneficial; let you clear you head and come back with fresh eyes.

"Ya know, your dad always said you were a genius." The girls pulled apart smiling.

"Now time for food!" Martha cut in. "I'm thinking Chinese."

"Chinese sounds great," Kate said and Alexis agreed. Martha got on the phone and proceeded to call. Kate noticed her stomach's immediate response at Chinese. She noted those days when the case ran late and she ended up eating only a snickers bar and coffee; her stomach was ready for a real meal.

"Oh, you might want to order some pan fun for Rick."

"But his favorite is Mu go gi pan," Alexis countered.

"Well, a couple weeks ago, before the incident, he swiped mine by mistake and proclaimed it as his new favorite. I swear he talked about it for the rest of the day," Kate remembered fondly. Alexis caught the sparkle in her eye.

"Okay then dear," Martha said finishing the order.

"Let's get a movie," Alexis said looping her arm through Kate's and pulling her to the couch.

"Genre?"

"Feel-good," Alexis said definitely. "Maybe romantic."

"Any preference?"

"No Nicholas Sparks."

"Deal. Disney?"

"Yes."

"Princess?"

"Why not?"

"New?"

"Old."

"Agreed."

"The Little Mermaid?"

"Always."

The girls laughed as Alexis put the disc in the player and gathered as many pillows and blankets as they could before plopping down on the couch. Martha sat in the chair next to the couch and the three focused on the drama onscreen. Commentary was given, mostly by Alexis and lip-syncing occasionally occurred. The arrival of food forced the only break at the beginning but it was brief. The trio became lost in the film as they ate. Kate found her eyelids slowly growing heavy. Alexis eventually curled into Kate's side and the warmth and comfort the girl provided lulled her to sleep. Alexis managed to stay up long enough to hear her grandmother announce his retirement but not long after did she fall asleep on Kate.

Rick couldn't sleep anymore. The growling in his stomach mixed with the aching pain coursing through his body forced him awake. He glanced at the clock, realizing the ungodly hour and the fact no one would be awake to help him. He carefully maneuvered himself out of bed and into his wheelchair before setting off in search of food. Quietly, Rick rolled himself into the living room and took note of the figures on the couch. Alexis was practically on top of Kate, her face squashed against the woman's side, and snoring softly. Kate was curled against the side of the couch, her head resting on the armrest. Rick noted how peaceful she looked compared to when she was awake. Her features, still stunning, were softer, and her hair fell in light curls over her face. That feeling Rick had earlier in the hospital came back as he stared at them. The room was dark but their features were illuminated by the television screen. Unfortunately for Rick, that meant him bumping into a side table and having to bite his tongue in order to keep from yelling how he was really feeling. Alexis, after having heard the noise, woke up with a start and was relieved to see it was only her father.

"Dad, what are you doing up?"

"I'm starving, sweetie, but you go back to bed. I'll get it."

"No it's okay Dad, I will. I need to wait for my heart to stop pounding." Alexis climbed off of Kate, careful not to wake her and joined her father in the kitchen.

"What are you planning on feeding me?"

"We ordered Chinese."

"What did you get me?"

"You'll see," Alexis responded, putting the carton into the microwave. "Here," she said setting it in front of him as he sat at their dining room table.

"What is it? It's not my usual moo go gi pan."

"Just try it."

Rick looked at it quizzically but pick up a fork and picked up a piece. Tentatively, he brought it to his lips as Alexis stared at him in anticipation. She smiled as his eyes widened while he chewed.

"This is fantastic!" he exclaimed. "When did I start ordering this?"

"I don't know. Kate was with you. It is the order she gets and I guess you accidently grabbed hers and fell in love with it."

"Wow, she knows me really well, doesn't she."

Alexis smiled and thought hard for a moment.

"Yeah, I guess she does."

"I feel so bad, knowing nothing about her and she seems to know almost everything about me. Tell me about her."

"Honestly, I don't really know that much. You should learn them yourself. You did the first time and things worked out really well between the two of you." Alexis smiled, remembering the way her father always talked about his adventures with Kate. She knew he'd been in love with her but she wanted him to figure it out on her own.

"How do you not know much about her? You two seem like best friends."

"I don't know. This past month, we just have really been working together. Don't ask me to explain, Dad, because I don't even truly know. She's just good for us. You might not know it yet but she was great for you too."

"I wish I could remember." Alexis looked down at her hands guiltily and swallowed hard.

"You will, Dad. Now go back to bed." She gave him a pain pill and a glass of water after he finished his food, before rolling him back into his bedroom.