Castle and The Originals

Chapter 18

"I don't care about the consequences? Are you kidding me right now Kate? You're the queen of disregarding the consequences; the rest of the world be damned!" Rick struggled to maintain his composure.

"Don't you dare make this about me Castle; you did this!"

"That's right and I'd do it again because I knew I couldn't count on you to do it for yourself!" Rick ran his hands through his hair and paced the floor at the end of their bed.

He had no idea how they had gotten to this moment. He had been prepared to take a bit of a tongue lashing about the shoes, maybe even a poke or two to the chest, but he hadn't anticipated a full blown war.

Over the last ten minutes, he had tried to remind her of all the things Dr. Candace told them at their most recent OB appointment. Having been disappointed to see Kate arrive in a very typical pair of Detective Beckett power heals, the good doctor reiterated the fact that despite Kate's excellent health, any twin pregnancy held higher risks than a singleton. Then the doctor proceeded to remind them about the strain the extra weight that carrying two babies would cause on his wife's body and would affect her lower back. The kicker for Rick however, had been the pamphlet explaining the hormones that were slowly loosening Kate's ligaments and how she might be prone to twisting her ankles or her knees which could lead to a bad sprain or worse, to a dangerous stumble or fall. He didn't care if he was overacting or not; even the slightest possibility that she or the babies could be at risk was too much for him.

Kate stormed out of the walk-in closet and sat on the side of the bed; her face was flushed presumably from the heated exchange they had been having. He could see that her rage was only intensifying as the fight ensued.

"Do you really think I'm incapable of making good decisions on my own?" She was fuming by now.

"No, that's not what I think at all, I just meant..."

Kate interrupted him. "You know what Rick? I know exactly what you meant; 'I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts."

Even from her lower position she stared him down like he was a perp under interrogation.

He too could play at that game.

"Strong reasons make strong actions." Rick looked purposefully at his wife's belly as she slowly ran her fingertips along the underside of it; he needed to make her see that he was worried about the babies as much as he was about her. Suddenly her flared nostrils and her slow deep inhalations through them caught his attention, he instinctively lurched forward, his heart racing. "Kate!"

"Don't Castle!" She stopped him with a hand to his chest; not letting him touch her. "I can get through it without your help."

She narrowed her eyes practically daring him to ignore her wishes. He wanted to reach out; to cover her hand with his; to rub away the pain. Even in the heat of battle he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, but the intensity of her stare told him he would come away with more than just singed wings this time.

Defeated, dejected and utterly lost he turned and headed for the door. "I'll put the car around front. You're shoes are in the laundry room storage area; top shelf. Just please be careful on the step ladder."

"What's up with you and Writer Boy tonight?" Lanie cocked an eyebrow at her friend's reflection.

Reapplying some light lip gloss, Kate tried to act nonchalant. "Nothing why?"

"Don't try to shovel your load of bull with me, girl. The two of you have barely said three words to each other all night."

"That's not true, we've said plenty."