27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

"Kate, you're sitting up," Alexis squealed quietly. "Does that mean you're getting better?"

"It at least means I'm awake enough to talk to you this time."

Martha swooped in after stopping to talk to the two men on watch in the hall. "There's my darling girl," she said as she entered the room and closed the door, leaving the two detectives at the door smiling at the completely unexpected and un-Beckett-as-they-know-her greeting.

Alexis leaned over the bed and kissed Kate's head, being careful not to jostle her as she did, and Martha followed with a kiss of her own. Alexis then walked around the bed to hug her father and stood with him on Kate's less injured side.

"We met Schlemming," Martha told her son quietly enough she was sure no one outside the door would hear…and with a good deal of mischief in her tone.

"Shlemming?" Kate asked, also quietly, in response to Martha, but looking puzzled as to why.

"Demming and Lupinski are on watch this afternoon, Castle answered. "I told them I'd let you know. Demming offered to leave if either of us would rather he not be here."

"That was unnecessary. Nice of him, though. "But Schlemming?"

"A character briefly mentioned in the next book," Alexis answered,

"Richard Castle, you'll take that out," Kate demanded. "It just makes you look childish."

"I'll think about it," he answered, sounding both unconvincing and remorseless.

"We'll talk about it at home," she promised ominously. Then, turning back to her stepdaughter, she moved her hand where it was easy for Alexis to take it. As Castle had told her, Alexis was wearing the opal ring, and Kate brushed her thumb across it a couple of times.

"I love you, too," Alexis responded.

"How were the exams?"

"Good. I think you'll be proud."

"I imagine I will. And about being proud. Don't be too proud to ask for a little scheduling leeway if you need it. You've worked hard enough without ever asking for favors that they'll know you aren't using this as an excuse to slack off. Your dad tells me the school is willing to work with you. I know I had you distracted for the last few days. I'm sorry it's affecting your schoolwork."

"Affecting my school… Kate, you were shot! You almost died!" Alexis sputtered. "That deserved my full attention."

"She's absolutely right, Darling," Martha pitched in. "We're just happy that psychopath didn't do his job as well as he might have."

"I think that may have been your son's doing, Martha," Kate speculated.

"But I heard the shot just before he tried to push you out of the way."

"The longer I stay awake, the more I remember. I know Rick's tells; and as I was speaking, I could see out of the corner of my eye that he was antsy about something. I turned a little toward him to see what was wrong just before I felt the shot." Turning her head toward her husband, she asked, "What was that about, Rick? I just remembered that this morning, but we had other things to talk about then."

"I saw a glint of some kind from a row of tombstones a good distance away from us…like sunlight reflecting off metal, and it didn't feel like it belonged there. By the time I realized what it probably was, it was too late. If I'd figured it out a few seconds sooner…."

"If you'd figured it out a couple of seconds earlier, he probably would have shot you. The fact that you knew to be worried about it is the reason I turned, and probably the reason he didn't kill me right then. You have nothing to be sorry for." She paused for a moment and added, "Except for moving in front of what could have easily been a second bullet and scaring your family out of their minds."

"Amen to all of that," Martha answered.

Alexis just nodded and held Kate's hand a little tighter. "I know it's going to take a long time for you to be better, and I'm so sorry you have to go through all this pain to get there; but at least we still get to take you home and help. It's going to be so good to have you back with us, even if you can't do much at first. It doesn't feel right without you anymore."

"I'll be glad to get there, too."

"This morning, she threatened to break out of here," Castle reported.

"Tattle-tale," his wife answered.

Martha chuckled. "Nice fantasy, Dear, but we all know you wouldn't get as far as the next corner of the hall right now. You behave yourself, and we'll be here when they release you to help you escape with the doctor's blessings."

"Somebody's always bursting my bubble," Kate complained good-naturedly.

"Is there anything you need from home, Kate?"

"Clothes? When I do get out of here, I'll need something to wear."

"Anything in particular?" Alexis asked.

"Knit pants and a soft, loose knit shirt. I doubt I'll be able to wear anything else for the next few weeks. And a wrap of some kind. It gets cold in here now and then."

"I'll bring it tomorrow."

"Thank you." Kate squeezed her hand weakly, but it was a little better than the last time.

"The doctor gave me permission to stay with Kate as long as we could stand each other."

"And I'm sure you took that as an invitation to invade the poor girl's room for the duration," Martha answered.

"Yes, but I prefer to think of it as living with my wife."

"Of course you do, Dad. Just don't drive her crazy. We expected you'd be here as long as they let you."

"You don't mind if he stays?" Kate asked.

"If he didn't, he'd be at home driving us crazy worrying about you. Better you than us," Alexis answered with a mischievous grin.

"I'm beginning to feel unwanted," they heard from the only male voice in the room. "I hate to make this such a short visit, but Kate has been awake and sitting up for longer than usual this morning, and I can tell she's in pain. We should probably let her get some sleep."

"It's okay, Kate. We'll come back tomorrow about the same time, and I'll bring you something warm to wrap around your shoulders. Is there anything else you want?"

"My Kindle. As I get more comfortable, I might want to read."

"We'll take care of it," Martha promised. "I'll put together a bag for you while Alexis studies."

"I want to hug you both, but I can't yet. I'll try to save up my energy tomorrow so we can have a longer visit."

"Darling, the fact that you aren't arguing with Richard about needing to sleep tells us he's right. Don't give it a second thought."

"Will you see that he eats lunch? I had something just before you got here, but he hasn't had anything yet." Turning to Castle, Kate said, "I'll be fine. Take our family to lunch."

"Shall I?" he asked Kate with his finger on the button to dispense the pain medication. Seeing her nod, he pressed the button, kissed her, and said, "Be right back." After walking Martha and Alexis out, he stopped across the hall and told them, "If you'll sit in the waiting room a few minutes, I'd like to stay long enough to know she's as comfortable as possible and sleeping. I'll meet you there, and we'll go to the cafeteria for lunch."

"Take your time, Richard," Martha answered. "No rush."

"Take care of Kate, Dad. We're not in a hurry," Alexis added and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks, Honey," he answered as he gave her a quick hug, kissed her head, and put a hand appreciatively on his mother's arm before unselfconsciously acknowledging the two men at the door and returning to Kate's room.

"Never had him pegged for such a family man," Demming commented after the door closed.

"Got a good family, too," Lupinski agreed. "They turn up at the precinct now and then. They're a little quirky, maybe, but good people."

When Castle returned to the room, Kate was lowering the bed, and it obviously wasn't comfortable for her to change positions.

"I wish I could help," he said sympathetically.

"I need to figure out the best way to do things, and it's gonna have to hurt while I figure it out." She made a face as she readjusted and settled in, looking worn out.

Castle lowered the guard rail and pulled his chair close enough to sit facing her, rest his forearm on the bed, and hold her hand.

"You're supposed to be eating lunch," she scolded gently.

"Wanted to make sure the new meds set-up is working before I go."

"You should just go. I know how to push the call button."

"Taking care of me, too, remember? Don't fuss."

"'Kay," she answered. "I'm really tired." She looked sleepy already.

"I'll be here until I know you're asleep."

"Love you."

"Love you, too." He lifted her hand and kissed it, and it wasn't long before she was sleeping.

Stopping on the way out, he took coffee orders from the men on watch and promised to bring it back when he returned.

A lunch with his redheads, a delivery of coffee and muffins for the officers standing watch, and a session of writing in his notebook later, the physical therapist came in and woke Kate to work with her on things that would improve the use of her lungs. With the other injuries as well, it was painful, but it left her feeling that she had done something to help herself. Castle was in awe of that part of her nature. He was sure he would have been simply feeling sorry for himself.

Lanie came to visit after Kate's next nap and was overjoyed to see her sitting up and more alert than before.

"I checked with Castle yesterday when I had time to get here, but you were asleep. I figured you needed it, so I settled for a report instead. What have they told you today?"

"Dr. Kovaks said I can stay with her full time," Castle reported with a satisfied smile.

"Looks like I have a roommate," she told Lanie with an eye roll; but there was so much affection in her voice that the eye roll was pretty effectively negated.

"I can see how much that upsets you," Lanie shot back sarcastically. "You gonna let me take a look at the incisions…make sure they look okay?"

"You can check the one on my chest, but the rest hurt too much. I had a PT session not too long ago, and I'm almost comfortable again right now."

"I think almost is about as good as it gets so far," Castle added sympathetically.

"Castle, can we have a little girl time? Could you get some coffee or something?" Lanie asked.

He looked at Kate, who nodded. "Go ahead," she told him. "You need to get out of here now and then. Stretch your legs. This furniture isn't meant for a man your size. Maybe you should take a walk and get some fresh air."

"There are still reporters hanging out in the fresh air. Not as many, but they're still lurking."

"Reporters?"

"Yeah. You've been big news, Girl," Lanie informed her. "Major coverage on every station for a couple of days. You were breaking news…things being interrupted to talk about it," Lanie told her. "Your face is still turning up in that endless cycle on the twenty-four hour news stations, and it comes up for mention on the network news, too. It's like at Cheers. Everybody knows your name."

Kate groaned. "Great. Why didn't you tell me that?" she asked Castle accusingly.

"Well, the first couple of days I wasn't allowed to stay that long, and you weren't exactly awake enough to take it in…and really, what difference would it have made for you to know? You know what? I'm thinking you two need that girl time. Coffee sounds pretty good." He leaned over and kissed her head, whispering, "Love you."

He got a loving look in return and knew his wife wasn't really upset with him. "I'll be back in a little bit," he promised before he left.

"Now, let me see that chest wound," Lanie insisted, pulling gently at the bandages. She stared for a moment before speaking again. "Damn, Kate. They must have you on their list of miracle patients. Taken in overall context you understand, you're one lucky woman. Not just that you're still talking to us, but to have a good chance of getting back to normal…" She replaced the dressing on the wound and leaned to press her cheek against her friend's, the closest thing to a hug that wouldn't cause Kate pain. "I was so scared."

"I'm not okay now, Lanie; but the doctor says, barring complications, if I do the work, I should be."

Lanie surreptitiously wiped some bits of moisture from her cheeks and around her eyes. "I hear Writer-Boy has been here almost as much as you have."

Kate nodded. "I've told you, it's Writer-Man." Lanie slid into her raised eyebrow, innuendo face, and Kate smiled. "Well, that, too, but it's more… He's always there when I need him. Martha and Alexis and I give him a hard time about being more of a kid than Alexis, but it doesn't take being around us long to know he's the backbone of this family…of our family. We're an eclectic blend, but we make a family that works. He's exactly what you told me he'd be."

"Did I just hear Detective Kate Beckett admit that I was right?"

"Shut up," Kate answered with a self-conscious grin. "Yeah, you were right. He's the best thing that ever happened to me. I'll owe you forever for pushing the two of us to fix the mess I made."

"Hey, he has to take some of the blame, too. I'm just glad you both finally got your heads on straight. I've never seen you so happy. Even sitting here in pain, you look at him, and…" Lanie sighed. "I hope I find that someday."

They talked about work and the fact that the shooter hadn't been caught…about Castle's reaction to the discussion about scars, about going home again and PT and security…about Castle wanting to support her dad. By the time they had covered Lanie's issues about Esposito…both pros and cons…Castle was back.

He peeked in the door mischievously, asking, "Is it safe? Should I find something else to do?"

"No. Come on in, Writer-Man," Lanie answered.

"Writer-Man? Do I detect a promotion?"

"Yeah. Not going to swell your head with all the reasons, but yeah. You earned it."

"Hey," he said looking at Kate.

"Hey."

"Thanks for the girl time, Castle. I'm gonna go now so your wife feels free to gaze at you like you personally hung the moon just for her. If I weren't so glad to see the two of you this happy together, I might be a little disgusted." She grabbed Castle's shirt sleeve and pulled him over toward her until she could reach his cheek to plant a kiss there. "And thanks for being everything my girl needs. You're a good man, Richard Castle."

"I don't know what brought that on, but thank you. I'll just enjoy knowing I passed muster."

"'Night, Kate. I'll be back when I can. Get some rest before your dad gets here." She leaned to press her cheek against Kate's once more before she breezed out."

"You did say my dad is coming tonight, didn't you?" Kate asked Castle.

"Yeah. He'll be here after dinner. He's been putting in some time at work in the afternoons the last couple of days. He's staying with us at the loft for a while."

"Really?" Kate seemed surprised. "He agreed to that?"

"He did. He saw through my invitation, but he took it anyway…said maybe company wasn't a bad idea. He's determined not to let you down again."

"I knew you wanted to support him, but thanks for keeping him from feeling alone. I know this is hard for him, and I'd worry about him being alone with it."

"A man is supposed to take care of his family. That's just how it is. It helps you not worry, too. Neither of you needs any extra stress right now. And Alexis loves having him around. They do their hot cocoa thing and talk."

"How do you know? I can't even get you to go home and sleep in an actual bed."

"I call all of them while you're sleeping. You still do enough of that for me to find times that work with everybody's schedules."

"I hate that you're being pulled in so many directions."

"You and I both have times like that. Too many irons in the fire. Right now, though, I have everybody's permission to slow down. There are always priorities, and my priority now is you. If Alexis were hurt, or mother were sick, you'd have to get in line…and I know you would understand. This shouldn't be on your worry list. Your only concern should be getting better."

"Okay," she answered, and yawned, then winced.

"You and Lanie had a pretty long girlie session," he said, smiling as he pulled his chair up next to her bed and handed her the water glass. "I can tell you're hurting. Push the button and let the meds help you sleep. You'll feel more up to seeing your dad tonight."

"Then I'll leave you totally bored instead of mostly bored."

"I have a couple of notebooks. I'm getting some writing done while you sleep, too."

"Does Nikki get shot in this book?" she asked hesitantly.

"No."

Something in the look on his face didn't add up, and she asked, "What aren't you saying?"

"Always detecting, aren't you?"

"So?"

"It's Rook…he's the one."

"Why?"

"Because I can't write hurting you like this. I…"

"I get it, but it's gonna be hard to read. I don't want to even imagine watching you go through this."

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, then readjusted the chair and leaned his head against the head of her bed, the closest he could get to her without causing her pain. She turned her head to kiss his cheek, and he kissed her lips gently, their unspoken conversation enough for both of them. He released the medication for her, and they both eventually dozed for a while before someone brought her dinner. Dinner was nothing heavy, but a little more substantial than her last meal.

Castle stayed and talked to Jim for a few minutes before he deferred to some dad/daughter time for his wife and went to find his own dinner elsewhere. Kate fell asleep not long after her father left, and Castle turned out the light and took his bag into the bathroom. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and changed into a T-shirt for sleeping.

That done, he went back and tucked the blankets a little higher on his sleeping wife and contemplated his own sleep. He had snagged an extra chair when Jim visited, so he took a deep, resigned breath and was about to arrange the second chair to prop his feet in when Justine arrived. "Impressive arms, there, Mr. Castle," she said with motherly mischief as she busied about. "Why aren't you home where there's a bed? You don't really intend to sleep in that chair, do you?"

"I'm here because my wife is here. And yes, I do." Looking at the two chairs, he added, "Can't say I'm excited about it, though." Do you suppose you could find me a blanket and a pillow?"

"I think I can manage that."

"And she's only been asleep about thirty minutes. She had PT and several visitors today, and she was exhausted. Whatever it was you were going to do, could it wait a little while?"

"Checking vitals. I can give her a little more time. Be right back with blankets." She returned shortly with a pillow and two light blankets. "Tomorrow I'll see that there's a reclining chair in here. This isn't normally an ICU room, so it should have one anyway."

"Thanks, Justine. See you later."

The nurse stood with one hand on her hip and watched as Castle adjusted the chairs close to Kate's bed and sat down.

"Must be love," she observed. "I can't think of another reason for that." Then she turned and left him to work it out.

xxxxx

The following morning's rounds were eventful. The doctor was encouraging. The hated chest tube was removed. The catheter was also removed, which meant Kate would have to be out of bed now and then.

Justine, true to her word, had a much more comfortable chair delivered to the room early in the day, telling Castle he had to share it with the patient. Kate would be gaining some mobility in the next few days and should be out of bed more. After taking two more of her final exams that morning, Alexis returned to the hospital with Martha, bringing Kate the things they promised and visiting a bit longer than the day before.

When Kate needed the bathroom the first time, Castle insisted on learning how to help her out of bed with the least amount of stress to her injuries; and the next time, he helped her without calling the nurse. The process worked well in general; but by the time they got there, Castle could barely restrain himself from trying to hold her up entirely. Kate was a little grumpy from the pain and difficulty of movement, as well as from the overly careful attention. He stood with her in front of the toilet and asked, "Do you need any more help?"

She looked at him and snarked, "I'm here, the back of this hospital gown is already open. "Are you gonna try to pee for me, too?"

Holding his hands in front of him as if in surrender, he answered, "Okay. Hovering again. Got it. Closing the door. Let me know if you need help getting up."

"It may not be fun, but I can get up, Castle. There's nothing wrong with my legs."

"Nope. Can't argue with that. Undoubtedly the finest legs I've ever seen."

"Out, Rick. I gotta pee."

Hearing his first name told him he'd softened his wife's mood. Castle closed the door with a grin, turned to lean against the wall and wait for her, and encountered an amused Kenny peeking around the door.

"I did knock first, but I guess you were distracted," Kenny told him.

"Very independent woman," he explained to the nurse with a little smirk.

"Rick, I know you're still out there," Kate called a couple of minutes later. "You can open this heavy door if you want."

Castle heard the water running as she washed her hands, which took longer than usual, and opened the door as soon as the water stopped. He provided the support he was instructed to provide as Kate returned to the bed, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "Helicopter husband."; but the snark was missing, and there might have been a little hint of a smile.

"You two are fun," Kenny commented as he went about the tasks he came to take care of.

The rest of the day was encouraging. Kate seemed a bit more comfortable, and the added mobility seemed to be enough of a personal challenge to make the discomfort it caused worth her efforts.

That night, Justine was thanked once again for arranging for the more comfortable chair. When she entered the room during the night to attend to her duties, she found Castle asleep with his chair aligned next to Kate's bed, her bed adjusted to a height that allowed him to comfortably rest his arm on the bed and hold her hand. The nurse smiled at one of her all-time favorite couples and after a moment of taking in the scene, she gently roused her patient.

That was the way she found them sleeping for the duration of Kate's stay.