Kate sat at her desk trying to keep herself as busy as she possibly could. All the paperwork that had to be filed after that last case and the fresh body were helping. Somehow they had all survived. Rosa was in protective custody after receiving treatment for the hole Gian had left in him. The information that he had given them was priceless. They had already been able to take down three more high ranking members and they were getting farther every day. She of all people involved managed to come out of it unscathed, but that was all because of Castle. She frowned cringing at the thought of him. He had been rushed into emergency surgery after the whole ordeal. It took five excruciating hours, but the doctors finally told her he'd be ok. After he was stable they flew him back to New York to recover so that he could be with family and friends. He was unconscious for the first three days and she never left his side. When he had finally woken up though, she couldn't stand to be with him. The frustration she felt with him and the guilt she felt with herself overpowered how much she missed him. She couldn't bear to stand in front of him, knowing that she had almost gotten him killed and she didn't want to yell at him the first time she saw him again because of how stubborn he had been by following her in the first place. If he had just left her alone none of this would have happened. Trying desperately to push the thoughts from her head, she stood and headed down to see Lanie. She needed the ballistics form the Kensik case if she wanted to avoid any free time on her hands.

Lanie looked up from her desk as Kate walked through the door. "If you tell me there's another body, I'm going to retire very early. You leave for a few days and suddenly this whole town becomes a live version of Twisted Metal."

Kate raised a surprised eyebrow at the game reference, knowing Lanie wasn't the gaming type.

"Esposito," She explained shortly.

"Ahh," She nodded with understanding. "Actually I came down to see if the tests had come back in yet for the Kensik case." She was trying hard to keep this conversation strictly professional, knowing that Lanie had no problem prying into her personal thoughts.

Lanie cocked her head giving Kate a 'don't even try that with me' look. "Honey, you know full well that if those results were back I'd have called you. So are you ready to tell my why you really came down here? Because I know it wasn't about any test results."

"No, really, there isn't much more I can do here without them." She explained.

"You know, an early night after the past few days wouldn't kill you. You could actually take some time and go see Castle since you haven't so much as called the man since he woke up." Her tone was reprimanding.

Kate pressed her lips tightly together, there it was. "I haven't had time" She excused as she tempered her potentially hot reaction.

"Then you need to make time. The man took three bullets for you and you won't even talk to him. He's worried sick that you're still mad at him for following you." Lanie stood, her tone now challenging Kate to give her another bad excuse as to why she was being so stubborn.

"Maybe I am still mad at him. I didn't ask him to take three bullets for me and I sure as hell didn't ask him to come with me!" Her temper grew the more she thought about what had happened. "I didn't tell him what was going on for a reason. If he had just listened to me and stayed home he'd be ok!"

"You didn't tell him anything, Kate! Of course he was going to follow you, what did you expect?" Any one else would have been afraid to cross Kate Beckett in matters of her personal life, but Lanie knew better than to leave her alone for too long. She had, had time to sort her thoughts and now she was just being stubborn.

"I didn't tell him because I was trying to keep him safe! I knew how dangerous this was going in and I knew that if I told him he would give me no end of trouble. He never listens to a damn thing I say weather it's for his own good or not!" Hot furious tears stung her eyes.

"Don't you even;" Lanie leaned across the medical table pointing a determined finger. Here came the water to Kate's raging inferno. "You were trying to save your own ass because you didn't want him to see you throwing yourself at other men." Lanie watched her eyes as they stood in silence and for a moment thought Kate might lunge across the table at her. But then the fire died down. She had nothing to stand on now and she knew it.

Kate's tears turned from angry to sad to guilty. Underneath it all, Lanie was right. She leaned heavily against the table as tears dripped from her eyes. "I just didn't want him for this one."

The change in her tone told Lanie she had no more fight left. "Then you should have told him so." Her hand went to cover her friends comfortingly. "He's your partner Kate, you should have trusted him. I know it seems like he never listens, but that's because he cares about you, Baby." Kate's head lifted as Lanie's finger pushed her chin upward forcing their eyes to meet. "You're a good cop, but there's a reckless streak in you like no other. He's the one that has your back when that streak shows. Probably because he's just as stubborn and reckless as you are, but he's not stupid and he would never do anything he knew would put you in more danger than was necessary."

Kate nodded. "I know." She whispered. "He's always there for me."

"Yes he is." Lanie stepped around the table, satisfied that she had set Kate's head back on straight. Her arms went around Kate's shoulders in a comforting hug, reassuring her that everything was ok. "Now you need to be there for him. He got out of the hospital today."

"He's home?" She asked surprised that they had released him so soon.

Lanie chuckled. "He was driving the hospital staff insane. They agreed to release him, but he's on strict bed rest."

Kate laughed as she wiped her eyes.

"Well, what are you standing around here for? Go!" Lanie took her shoulders and turned her toward the door before pushing her out.

Kate smiled and braced her hands on the door-frame stopping their motion. "Thank you, Lanie."

"Anytime, Baby. Now go see your man." She smiled and gave Kate one final shove out the door, sending her chuckling down the hall.

"Hi, it's Kate. I'm sorry I missed your call, but I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks, bye." Beep.

"Damn it, Kate." Castle clicked the phone off and tried to strangle it. He didn't even hear Alexis come in. He raised his hand to throw, but suddenly found there was nothing in it.

"Dad." She frowned at him as she rescued the phone from the far wall. "I know you're upset, but don't take it out on the phone." She set it down and moved to sit beside him.

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Alexis. I am very upset, but your right that's no excuse to throw things." He rested his head against the back of the couch. "I just want to talk to her."

Alexis gave him a sympathetic smile. "You know, she's probably really upset too. Maybe that's why she hasn't answered you."

He frowned. "I knew it. She's still mad because I followed her."

"Dad,"

"She's never going to forgive me for this one."

"Dad"

"Or maybe she's just being spiteful because I've called her fifty million times."

"Dad!" She grabbed his arm to stop his rant. "I didn't mean angry upset. She probably feels really guilty right now."

"Guilty?" His brow furrowed. "Why on earth would she feel guilty?" He was obviously trying to blow her off.

"Maybe, because it was her fault that you got shot."

"Alexis?" He was shocked.

Alexis had never received such a scolding look from her father, but she continued anyway. "If she was a little better at her job, you wouldn't have been able to follow her and then you get shot to protect her. She's supposed to protect you. Frankly she's not good enough for you if she can't protect you."

"Alexis Castle, that's enough!" He was almost yelling at her. "Don't you dare blame Kate for any of this."

She shook her head, understanding in her eyes. "I'm not, dad, but she is." She took her father's hand and leaned into his side. "Do you remember teaching me to ride my bike? I didn't want you to teach me that day, but you coaxed me into it and thirty minutes later we were in the emergency room getting a cast on my arm?"

He cringed remembering vividly.

"Do you remember how guilty you felt, because I got hurt? You told Gram that you were a terrible father and that it was all your fault for pushing me to learn."

He looked down at her. "She agreed with me."

She chuckled slightly. "That's not the point, Dad. It took a while for you to realize that everything was ok and that you weren't a terrible parent." Sitting back up she met his eyes. "Kate was the first one at the hospital every day, and the last one to leave while you were there. I think there were a few nights that she actually stayed with you too. I went down to the precinct this morning to thank her for everything she did for you while you were there. She could hardly look me in the eyes though, Dad. The guilt was written all over her face." They sat with each other, silent for a moment. "She really cares about you. She just needs a little time to realize that everything really is ok."

He smiled, "What would I do without you?" and pulled his daughter close, finally understanding.

"I have no idea." She hugged him back, careful not to hurt him. "I have to go. I'm meeting Ashley for dinner. Please do as the doctors said and don't move too much." She kissed his cheek leaving him smiling after her.

Not ten minutes later there came a knock at the door. He had just braced his arms against the couch to stand when his mother's shrill voice echoed from the other room. "Richard, don't you dare." He huffed and relaxed against the couch again, listening carefully and praying that it would be Kate on the other end of that knock.

Kate smiled as the door was opened. "Hello, Martha."

"Oh, Kate, dear, how are you?" Martha opened her arms and embraced her tightly knowing that this whole ordeal had been just as hard on her as it had been for them. "I'm glad you've come. All he's done since he got home is ask for you."

She smiled at the older woman's genuine warm welcome. "I'm sorry I…"

"Kate,"

They both looked to find Castle leaning heavily against the kitchen counter, relief and joy filling his face as he tried to hide the pain.

Her eyes widened with initial shock, as he stood bare-chested before her, but the shock wore off quickly enough into and excited smile as her heart began to race. She hadn't realized just how much she had actually missed him.

"Richard, darling, you're supposed to be on bed rest." His mother hurried to his side with Kate following.

He brushed his mother's worried remarks off and reached for Kate's hand beaming when she took his. "How are you?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I'm fine, but you're supposed to be in bed." She dropped a small bag onto the counter before wedging her shoulder under his good arm for support.

"Ohh, did you bring me burgers?" He asked excitedly trying to turn back.

"Bed, now." She scolded. "Let's go."

He looked down at her devilishly "Really?"

She pressed her lips together unable to resist smirking at his remark as she glared up at him playfully.

"Oh Richard, behave yourself." Martha's hand tapped his cheek gently as she helped Kate get him back to his room. "There you are. I have to go now, darling. Do you have everything you need?"

He smiled never letting his eyes leave Kate's. "I do now."

Martha just smiled as Kate flushed a deep shade of red. She kissed her son's cheek and placed a hand on Kate's shoulder. "Keep both eyes on him. The doctors told him to stay in bed and take it easy and what do you think he's done all day?"

Kate gave a small knowing laugh. "The exact opposite."

"Exactly."

"Goodbye, Mother," Rick smiled as he pushed her out the door with his eyes.

Finally they were alone. Kate sat beside him on the edge of the bed his hand still in hers. "I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner, Castle."

He shook his head smiling. "You're here now. That's all that matters." They fell silent for a moment. "Kate, listen," He grabbed her other hand. "I'm sorry for everything I said a few days ago. You're one of the most intelligent women I know and I'm sure you had good reason for not telling me everything."

She shook her head. "Castle,"

"No." He cut her off. "I nearly got us both killed because I wouldn't just let you be and if you hadn't been there when I got shot…" His words stopped as her fingers pressed across his lips.

"I nearly got us killed, Castle. I should have told you the truth from the start." She drew a breath as her eyes fell from his. "I was ashamed and I tried to hide from you." She tilted her head back trying to keep her tears from falling. "It was stupid I know. I didn't trust you and I'm sorry." Her hand slid over his chest to the bandage and she rested her fingertips on the edge. "God, I'm so sorry."

He could hear how tight her voice was and the tremble of her words confirmed all Alexis had said. "Kate," He took her hand away from the bandage and pressed it tightly against the warm skin of his chest, holding it there with his own. "What do you feel?"

The soft rhythmic thump of his heart tapped her hand and a small smile of realization crossed her lips. "Your heartbeat."

He smiled still holding her hand. "Yes, my heartbeat. That means I'm ok and you can stop blaming yourself for this."

She pulled her hand back stubbornly. "Castle, you took three bullets because of me."

He shook his head. "I took three bullets to protect you, Kate and I'd take ninety seven more if it meant keeping you safe."

A hint of mischief glinted through the water in her eyes. "Only ninety seven?"

He shrugged. "Well I figure by a hundred I'd look more like Swiss cheese than anything that could offer you any kind of protection." He smiled, happy to hear her laughter, soft though it was. "Come here." He pulled her arm gently.

There was no hesitation as she leaned down into his arms. She had almost lost him and wasn't about to pass up the chance to be so close. "I'm glad you're ok, Castle"

His arms were wrapped as tightly around her as he could bear. "Yeah, me too."

Kate pulled back, knowing that if she stayed in his arms any longer there would be no mistaking that hug for more than just friendly comfort. She was able to get about half way up before she realized he wasn't letting her go. His arm was still wrapped tightly around her waist, trapping her at his side and the other behind her back, keeping her from sitting up fully.

He met her nervous eyes with a calm strength. "You know. This whole thing got me thinking. You and I are very lucky people. We stick our necks out almost every day and always come out ok in the end. But, this time," He breathed deeply. "this was a really close call and it made me realize…" His hand went from her back to her face, slowly bushing a strand of hair behind her ear before tangling in her silky locks. "Our lives are a little too uncertain to play games with."

Her breath became shallow and heart beat quickened as they continued to gaze at one another. He was being completely serious for once. "What are you saying, Rick?"

He let go of her to push himself up into a sitting position, only bringing them closer together. "You know exactly what I'm saying." He whispered.

The air caught in her chest, unable to believe what she was hearing. She had dreams about this moment, but it never seemed to come.

"I'm done playing games, Kate." His arm slid slowly around her back again pulling her closer still, as he searched her eyes for any sign of opposition. There was none. "I'm saying I love you."

She was lost in him at that moment. So much so, that she couldn't even breathe much less speak to tell him she felt the same way. The words were screaming in her head to come out, but her emotions were absolutely overwhelming. And then suddenly, all thought stopped. His hand had slid around her slender neck and he was moving closer, slowly closing the small gap between them. She could feel his warm breath against her lips as he hesitated for just a moment, giving her every chance he could to stop him, if this wasn't what she wanted. She wasn't moving. Her eyes slid shut instinctively as his lips covered hers softly and she melted, completely taken by him.

Castle held the kiss, afraid to move; fearing what would happen if he did. They stayed like that for just a moment before he felt her soft warm hand on his jaw, gently pulling him deeper. Relief washed over him as he tightened his arm around her back and slid his fingers into her hair, bringing her as close as he possibly could. He could feel her smile as she pressed her lips tightly against his and smiled himself at the soft moan that escaped her.

The kiss ended a moment later, but neither of them moved or even opened their eyes. Their lips were still touching and that moment was glorious. She could feel the victorious look on his face from his lips and he could feel that sexy bite on her bottom lip that she employed to keep her smile under control.

She pulled back giggling as she caught her fingertip between her teeth and gazed up at him, her cheeks a nice shade of pink. It didn't matter how hard she tried, that smile was coming out.

He grinned shaking his head and laughed at how flustered she was. "You're adorable, you know that?" He took her hand and kissed it gently. "I take it you didn't mind that kiss then?"

"Mind it?" She was suddenly able to regain her composure as she leaned toward him to whisper in his ear. "It was about time." She pulled away kissing his cheek on the way back before standing and giving him a playful wink as she walked out.

A moment later she returned, food hot and ready on a tray.

His eyes widened as he suddenly remembered the burgers and how hungry he was. "I knew there was a reason I love you so much."

She smiled as she set the tray down beside him. They ate relatively quietly, simply enjoying each others company. Kate cleared the bed and took the tray back to the kitchen when they had finished. By the time she came back he was laying back with both hands behind his head, looking very satisfied. The sight made her heart skip a beat, but she didn't let it show as she stood beside the bed looking down at him. "It's getting late. I should go."

His hand shot out catching hers. "You aren't allowed. I have to be under constant observation." He smiled innocently as her eyebrow rose. "Doctor's orders." He shrugged.

She shook her head, a smile gracing her lips as she kicked her shoes off. "Are you sure that wasn't constant supervision?" She watched the roll in his eyes as she climbed over him to the opposite side of the bed laughing.

"Me? Need supervision? Pah!" He laughed with her as he brought his arm down over her.

They rested for a moment, just lying in each others embrace. There was a comfort here like no other.

"Hey Castle," Kate tilted her head up meeting his eyes. "I love you, too."

He smiled and hugged her tightly as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Nothing else in the world mattered now. His world was finally complete.

~Finished~Thank you :)