"102.7. You have a fever," Kate announced, holding the thermometer in her hand.
"But it was romantic," Rick added weakly.
"That it was." Her smile hung for a moment as she remembered that kiss. "But now you're sick. I'm not saying I told you so…"
"But you did tell me so," he said glumly. "How do you feel? Can I get you coffee or tea?"
"Which one would you like?" She fired back. "I'm taking care of you. You're sick."
"You're sick, too. That's why you're here, so I could take care of you."
"Castle, can you just let me take care of you? I'm fine!"
"If you're fine, I'm fine," he retorted.
"You took care of me. Let me do the same for you," she pleaded.
"Enough!" Martha yelled as she barged through the door. "You're both lying to yourselves. You're both sick. Just work together and take care of each other. Be a couple," she said before she realized her wording. "A team! I meant a team…" Martha left as quickly as she had entered.
"Your mom is right," Kate admitted.
"Let's not tell her that." Castle thought for a moment, "what if we both make coffee?" He suggested. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to let Kate nurse him back to health, to experience the nurturing side that he rarely saw. But the bigger part of him wanted to take care of her. She was better off than he was, but she was still sick. He wanted her to see his nurturing side, not just the attractive and witty side.
Kate followed him to the kitchen where they each automatically started their routines. They moved around each other as if they'd shared a million mornings together.
"What if we drink coffee in bed?" Castle asked nervously. "No funny business, it's just—"
"You're tired?" Kate pushed. "It's because you're sick. Go lay in bed, I'll bring everything in."
Castle was too exhausted to argue with her. He was nearly asleep in just the few minutes it took to finish the coffee and make some toast.
"Here, you need to eat," Kate said softly as she slid next to him in the bed, sipping her own coffee.
"Where's your toast?" He managed between bites.
"Focus on yourself," she teased. "I ate a piece while I was making yours." He nodded, quickly falling back to sleep. Kate moved his plate and coffee to his nightstand. "Come here," she whispered as she opened her arms for him.
"I've never been the little spoon before," he teased weakly as he curled against her side, his head resting on her chest.
"I've never been the big spoon before," she admitted with a nervous laugh.
"You're a natural." Kate stroked his hair gingerly until she felt his head grow heavy. Sure enough, within minutes he was snoring softly.
When she knew he was sleeping soundly she bent down and kissed his forehead. "It was true," she whispered. "I do love you." She half expected him to wake up and press the issue further but he stayed asleep. She dozed in and out of sleep, uncomfortable in her position but unwilling to risk waking Castle.
"How do you feel?" Kate asked when Castle woke up hours later.
"I can barely breathe," he grumbled.
"I know the feeling. But I have a solution. One you might really enjoy…" she lead Castle by the hand into the bathroom. "Take your shirt off," she whispered seductively as she peeled her own shirt off.
Castle quickly agreed, his eyes taking in the sight of Kate topless. It was exactly like he'd imagined and yet better than any image he could conjure up. She was without a doubt the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on. And that was only seeing half of her undressed.
Kate waved a jar of Vick's vapor rub. "I figured we could rub some on each other," she said casually. She hoped he couldn't tell how nervous she was. She never got like this. She was always self assured; she knew she was attractive and was confident in that. But now, in front of Castle, she was filled with nerves that she might not be what he wanted. She pushed past her insecurities and put some of the ointment on her fingers.
Hesitantly she rubbed his chest, letting a satisfied exhale slip past her. His chest was so muscular, so sculpted. Even after the Vick's had been applied she kept rubbing his chest, her hands roaming freely, exploring his torso.
Castle followed suit, his hands rubbing the Vick's into her chest. He was careful not to dip the whole way down to her breasts, wanting things to go at her pace.
As if sensing his hesitation, she smiled softly. "I wouldn't have suggested this if I wasn't okay with it," she whispered. She grabbed his hand, caressing it in her own before moving it towards her breasts. His hands caressed the sensitive skin, making Kate toss her head back with a low moan. He let his thumb roll small circles over her nipples, hardening them instantly.
"I want so much more than this," he growled, his voice low.
"Rick, we've waited this long. What's a few more days?" She kissed his cheek, her kisses slowly moving closer and closer until their lips met. She put a hand on each side of his face, pulling him in. She wanted to tell him that she meant it, that she had fallen in love with him but she couldn't bring herself to utter the words. She let herself enjoy the kissing, telling herself that she didn't need to tell him how he felt. Once they were both better, she had every intention of showing him exactly how she felt.
