Castle and The Originals

Chapter 5

Two hours later a much disheveled Richard Castle stood face-to-face with a very stern looking Medical Examiner.

"Whoa, that bad huh?"

Rick usually appreciated their friend's humor but wasn't up to responding in kind, he just grabbed the bag she was holding and ushered her into the loft. "Yeah that bad; thanks for coming Lanie."

"Castle, she's my girl, it wasn't even a question."

Rick placed the large bag on the counter and started to unload it. Lanie was still holding a plastic case of some sort; he assumed it held the medical supplies she would need to start an IV. He read each box as he removed it from the bag. Lanie had apparently purchased every anti-morning sickness remedy she could find. There were suckers and lozenges enriched with Vitamin C, an acupuncture band that reminded Rick of a watch Alexis wore when she was ten and in her pink phase, two different jars of tea; one to reduce nausea and the other for heartburn. He had to laugh; Kate hadn't eaten enough to give a flea heartburn let alone a grown woman. There was even a CD boasting a ninety percent success rate in eliminating morning sickness.

"Lanie, did you buy out the whole store?"

She ignored him. "Okay, where's my patient?"

Rick led her to the bedroom he shared with his wife. He opened the door and stood aside motioning for Lanie to head on in. He headed back to the kitchen to clean up. He figured Kate and Lanie would want a little girl time.

Lanie approached the bed. "So this is where the magic happens?"

Kate just snorted at her from her position on the bed.

"Whew girl, you look terrible." Lanie sat on the edge of the bed facing Kate placing her hand on her friend's arm.

"I can always count on you not to sugar coat it."

"That's Writer Boy's job. So a baby huh?" Lanie cocked her head slightly trying to act shocked but Kate could tell her friend was excited for her. Lanie finally cracked a huge smile and embraced her. "I'm so happy for you. A little surprised, but happy."

"Why surprised?" Kate had told Lanie many times that she and Rick wanted kids.

"It's just quick, that's all. I figured Castle would want to be the center of your world for a while before..."

Kate just smiled and closed her eyes thinking about her husband.

"He's been the center of my world for other three years now." She opened them again to make sure Lanie had absorbed the comment. "Plus, he's very good at sharing, so I think we'll manage."

"I'm looking at a result of that sharing and it isn't so pretty."

"Well I think she's beautiful." Rick entered the room and climbed in the bed next to Kate. He kissed her cheek and took her hand in his. "So, what's in that bag of tricks you got there, doctor?"

Lanie opened the case and pulled out her stethoscope and blood pressure cuff.

"Let me check your vitals, I'm sure they're fine but I promised Dr. Candace I'd be thorough." She had requested Kate's OB's name before she came over. She felt it was professional courtesy if she was going to treat Kate. "Then I'll start the IV."

Lanie listened to Kate's heart then checked her pulse and BP. Once she was satisfied she pulled out the bag of yellow liquid. Of course Rick had questions. Lanie explained that the bag of IV fluids containing vitamins and minerals, to include thiamine, folic acid, and magnesium sulfate, would replenish the nutritional definitiencies in Kate's body. She had trouble finding a vein in the crook of Kate's arm so she opted for her hand. She again had to explain that dehydration sometimes made it difficult to locate veins that would normally be quite evident. Once the fluid was dripping she settled down in the chair Rick had pulled close to the bed for her to sit in.