Kate sighs to herself as she pulls into the parking garage and weaves down two levels for their designated spot. She pulls in and shuts off the car, letting the ambient noise and light be her only source. Letting her head fall back into the cool leather, she finally lets her muscles relax and with it feels the day slip away. A Wednesday that felt like a Monday; full of phone calls, emails, and people yelling her name every four seconds.

She needed just one minute of silence.

Sixty seconds.

After one last heavy sigh, Kate gathers her things and steps out into the night. She slides her bag onto one shoulder and as she walks, locks the car behind her.

The elevator is quick to arrive and after pushing the button for her floor, Kate leans back against the wall. She knew she was tired, had felt it all day, but in that moment, it hit her.

How every movement, every breath, took so much effort to accomplish.

She arrives in their lobby and waves hello to the on-duty security guard as she switches elevators and heads up to their loft.

Kate counts down the steps to their front door; narrates every task to unlock it.

Grab the key.

Slip it into the lock.

Turn the key.

Open the door.

She feels her head spin, he body finally releasing its last reserves of energy as she crosses the threshold and replaces the deadbolt.

She was too tired to eat; though she knew she probably should. She just wanted comfy clothes, her husband, and bed. Though not necessarily in that order.

Her bag is dropped carelessly right where she stands, and somehow she gathers enough gumption to unzip her boots and slide them off her aching feet.

Every step on the hardwood burns up her legs, and Kate is saddened to arrive in her bedroom and find it dark and empty. She rounds the corner to find a light on and the sleeping form of her husband in his office.

His head is lolled to the side, fitting between the crack of two cushions. His trusty laptop sat dark on his lap, and one bare foot stuck out of the blanket covering him.

Kate smiles as she crosses to him, a hand on the well-loved leather recliner as she leans down. She flips her hair to one side, pressing her mouth to his ear.

"Hey," she whispers nearly imperceptibly. She feels him stir, his mind dragging him into wake. "Hey." this time a little louder.

"Hey," he grunts after a moment, turning into her. "What time is it?"

"Late. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Castle says, sitting up further.

"Come on, it's bedtime."

Kate holds out a hand and waits while Castle sets his computer aside, removes the blanket, and stands. She laces their fingers together and leads them into the bathroom where they silently ready for bed.

She's quick to get under the soft covers, and even quicker to pull her husband to her side when he gets in. The sigh of relief she lets out makes him chuckle.

"Long day?" he asks.

"You have no idea." Turning on her side, Kate pulls Castle's arm across her chest, snuggling with it as if it were a teddy bear.

"I'm glad you're home."

"Me too."