Chapter 3 was totally worth the wait! I'm totally addicted to this story. Good job!

Diane: Castle does know Beckett pretty well… And that part when they said Bye Alexis together was begging to be used!
monique: Thanks! I think she will make the best of it.
Silent Readers: Thanks for reading!

So, those of you who have been wondering where Beckett went… Now you'll know! No, I'm not saying now. Little more angst (which is fun to write!), along with the start of a small side plot. Hope you enjoy!

~~~~~~~

Chapter Five

Along the way, Castle had been calling the precinct on and off, trying to get a hold of Beckett, knowing her cell phone was still getting repaired. However, she wasn't picking up her line. He figured she was just having coffee in the break room, but he knew he needed to talk to her. By the time he reached the precinct, though, there was no need to continue calling her.

Even though Beckett was filling out some information in a few forms from the case they had just solved, she was getting thirsty. She headed over to the break room and got herself a drink. As it turns out, an one of the relatives from the case stopped by to say hello, so she ended up chatting with her for a little bit in the break room. They had a good time, but Beckett had to cut the conversation short, since she needed to organize the forms in their proper order. Beckett liked organization, even if the case was already wrapped up.

Castle walked out of the elevator and strolled over to Beckett's desk, right where she was sitting. Ryan and Esposito were there as well, but they were talking to each other, and he wasn't there to see them. He sat down in the new chair that was so much better than the old one Beckett used to prank him.

"Castle!" Beckett cried out a little when he sat down, not expecting him to show up. Not this quick, at least. She had only just gotten back to her desk when he arrived, more or less.

"Beckett, you are not supposed to be at work," Castle said. He knew it was his fault he didn't tell her before, but better late than never.

"It's just paperwork," Beckett retorted. In truth, she did have to fill out a few forms. Being back at work, though, made her feel more at home, more like the routine she had before this whole accident.

"No. Doctor's orders, you are not allowed to be at work for a week."

"Relax, I'm not going to take any cases."

"But what if one comes?" Castle said as he stood up.

Beckett paused, not knowing what to say.

Castle continued, taking this opportunity to keep himself in control. "No, you are not staying here. You are coming home with me."

"Since when are you the boss of me?" Beckett said as she stood up, coming to his level.

"Since I'm your caretaker. Doctor's orders," he said again as he pointed to the sheet of paper that he had pulled out from his coat pocket.

Beckett could not believe this, but Castle had a point. He cared for her health, and knew exactly where she would be. Beckett didn't show it, but deep down, she liked that Castle cared for her in that way; there was something special about it.

From the sidelines, Montgomery had been watching the whole ordeal. He had gotten the call from the hospital, and was concerned for Beckett's health as well when he heard the news. He had been doing busy paperwork himself when Castle and Beckett started talking, and that piqued his curiosity. Beckett didn't look too bad, but when she stood up, he could tell that she was hit hard. No, he did not want his best detective to be working, not when a hard case could come up. It was hard enough convincing her when the FBI was around, so he was content watching from the sidelines this time and letting Castle do the heavy lifting.

Luckily, Castle escorted Beckett out of the precinct, which made Montgomery feel better. He went over to Ryan and Esposito, just to see how they were doing.

"Any luck catching that dirtbag?" Montgomery asked them.

"Not yet," Esposito replied.

"We're working on it," Ryan added.

"Well I want you to keep working," Montgomery almost commanded them. He left to go back into his office and do more Captain-related things. Ryan and Esposito exchanged glances, then continued doing their work.

"Think we'll catch him?" Ryan inquired.

"Who knows," Esposito started. "I haven't been having much luck."

"Yeah, me either," Ryan added.

~~~

Castle walked Beckett back into the apartment after grabbing lunch on the go. It was while they were eating at a small diner that Castle talked to Beckett about Dr. Davis' orders. Beckett listened intently and agreed with what he had to say. Even though Beckett hadn't done much physical activity aside from walking, she felt it would be best to rest when they were back inside, safe at his apartment. She sat down on the couch, and then slowly laid herself down, wanting to simply relax.

"Kate, you got a bed you can rest on," Castle stated matter-of-factly.

"No, Castle, I'm good," Beckett replied. Even if Castle called her 'Kate', she would still call him Castle; it was simply natural for her.

"No, you should relax on a nice, comfy bed." With that statement, Castle had walked over to the couch and offered Beckett his hand. He could tell that she needed to rest, just from the way she was acting. Plus, bed rest was on the to-do list for her recovery.

Even though the couch was just fine, Beckett took his hand after a little bit of exchanging glances between Castle's hand and face. He was really going out of his way, but for once, Beckett didn't seem to mind. This was a side to Richard Castle that Beckett didn't see all that often, and she enjoyed it.

When Beckett was standing again, Castle put his arm around her back for support. Slowly, they walked up to Castle's bedroom. Going down on the bed was easier for Beckett because the bed was higher up than the couch.

She rearranged herself a little bit on the bed, then settled in a good position that supported her back and relaxed her abdomen.

"You doing okay?" Castle asked.

"Yeah, I am now," Beckett responded. "Thanks," she added with a small grin.

"Anytime," Castle replied with a small grin of his own. "Is there anything I can get for you?" he inquired.

"A glass of water would be nice," Beckett answered.

"Glass of water it is," Castle repeated as he walked to the door. "I'll be right back," Castle stated as he headed out the door and down to the kitchen to grab the drink.

Castle opened the fridge and poured some filtered water into a tall glass. He also grabbed an apple and a banana, in case she wanted a snack.

As he turned around to go bring the drink and snacks up to Beckett, he nearly bumped into someone, and shrieked a little as a result, not expecting anyone to be behind him.

mikaaeleyy: Guess you'll find out!
VolleyG: Let's see if your guess is correct!
FanCastle-NY: Aw! You can do it! Also, the wait time between this chapter and next will be shorter for you.
Silent Readers: Thanks for reading!

NOTE: I had a more variety of guesses as to who was behind Castle when he shrieked than when Beckett left the apartment! I had fun writing this chapter and exploring some other aspects I want to get into later in the fanfiction. I hope you guys enjoy!

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Chapter Six

Martha had just come back from a meeting with her agent. Honestly, she did not know why he expected her to do half the roles he handed her! Either way, she needed a glass of wine to wind down. She walked into the kitchen right behind Castle and was grabbing a wine glass when he shrieked. She jumped a little and almost dropped the glass when that happened.

"Honestly, Richard," Martha exclaimed, "when will you learn to control yourself?"

"Oh ho, very funny," Castle retorted, once he realized it was only his mother. "What are you doing home at this hour?"

"I was coming back from a meeting, and I need to unwind."

"Really? Wine before dinner?"

"What? Can't a woman drink when she wants?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Then I'm going to have a drink." With that, Martha grabbed a bottle of red wine she had already opened and poured herself a glass.

Castle shook his head as he headed for the stairs. When he got back to his room, he put the glass on the bedside table along with the apple and banana.

"Thank you Castle," Beckett replied as he set the items down. When she looked again, though, she noticed the fruit. "What's this?"

"Just a snack in case you got hungry," Castle replied.

Beckett smiled again. "You didn't have to," she said.

"Yeah, well…" Castle paused for a quick second. "I thought it wouldn't hurt." A small, almost childish grin came across his face.

"Well, I appreciate it, Castle," Beckett responded.

"You're welcome," Castle said. "If you need anything, let me know."

"I will," Beckett said.

Castle walked out the door, not wanting to impose his presence on her. Before he headed back down, as his hand was on the handle, he asked, "Do you want me to close the door?"

Beckett thought a little before responding. "Yeah," she finally chose, and Castle did so. She wanted a little personal space to reflect on all that's been happening. She was the victim in an accident, and now she was staying at Castle's place recovering, on doctor's orders. More than anything, Castle was treating her like a lady, not acting like the boy he usually was back at work in the precinct. It was a different side, yes, and while it did come out from time to time, he was really going out of his way, even if it had only been a day. She took a drink of water, and then grabbed a book from her suitcase and started reading.

~~~

Castle went back downstairs and settled on the couch. Martha was relaxing in one of the chairs closeby.

"How's Beckett?" Martha inquired.

"She's doing good," Castle answered.

A small pause lingered before Martha finally spoke. "Well, you are being quite the gentleman, Richard."

"I'm just giving Beckett what she needs," Castle retorted.

"No, you're giving her more than that," Martha replied as she pointed her wine glass, which still had some red wine, at Castle.

"What makes you say that?" Castle challenged as he leaned forward a little bit to look at her.

"Well, for one thing, you gave up your entire bedroom for her," Martha started. "And now you're serving her meals. You're getting her snacks. You're escorting her around."

"Okay, I get what you're saying," Castle caved, leaning back on the couch, but only in a small manner. "But why do you even care?"

"Well, she's staying here for a couple weeks, Rick," Martha continued her point. "And you've made quite the statement already." With that, Martha was off to who knows where. She had put her wine glass on the counter before she grabbed her coat and headed out the door for any reason unbeknownst to everyone else.

Castle started to contemplate to himself. Yes, Beckett was a guest, but his gestures were only because he cared for her health. What Martha said, though, did make him start to question his motives a little bit. He turned around on the couch and looked in the direction of his room. True, he did like her, otherwise she wouldn't be the muse for Nikki Heat. Castle couldn't help but wonder, though, if his feelings were truly running deeper. He turned back around, put his elbows on his knees as he rested his chin in his hands, and sighed, not knowing what to think at that moment. He cared for Beckett, yes, and he loved how tough and independent she was. He didn't expect these feelings to come out so strong now. Not when she was a guest and they were in common quarters.

I'm really enjoying this story.  I like this side of Castle.  I think I see lightbulbs going off over his head at the end of this chapter!  It's very sweet!  Looking forward to some more!