A/N : Wow I can't believe that it has been so long since I first published Mercy Street. As I stated at the end of Castle Christmas, this is a more case centric story. It has much more in common with Mercy Street than say, Christmas Blues. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will be putting this up one chapter at a time mainly because I have no earthly idea exactly how long it's going to take our intrepid team to figure it out. As always please forgive any typos, grammar miscues. I just can't seem to catch them all. Please enjoy… D.

"Cupid"

A Castle Fan Fic

By Dethwalker.

Chapter 1

The Starlight Longue.

Castle. Becket, & Alexis

Kate Becket sat in the back on the limo with Alexis and Castle, on their way to celebrate Valentine's Day a week early, because next weekend was the writer's symposim that Black Pawn had him hosting. Her life had been pretty much in turmoil since early January when the press got wind of her relationship with Rick. The Cameras had been everywhere. Castle had stayed away from the precinct for the first couple of weeks in an effort to let Kate do her job unhindered. That had helped some, but then rumors of potential relationship trouble between the two started the media frenzy all over again. Rick's agent/publicist had gone into overdrive trying to minimize the craziness. So here she was ready to make her first appearance in public, with both Alexis and Rick. She was a bit nervous; even though Castle had assured Kate that the worst was over.

"Don't worry." Castle reiterated, "Once the media sees that we are going to play nice and allow the occasional photo op we will be fine. I am sure that Taylor or Brad will do something outrageous and we will be old news. Tonight we play nice."

Kate didn't feel reassured and began to chew absently on a lock of hair, something she hadn't done since she was a child. She was anxious to get this ordeal behind her. She found all the scrutiny unnerving. She tried to take her mind off her current dilemma by thinking about the wonderful dinner that Rick had prepared for the three of them last night. It had been a wonderful change of pace from the tumultuous day she had just finished. She, along with Esposito and Ryan had caught a case of a dead homeless vet, who had been doused with lighter fluid and set ablaze. Even though he had been homeless since returning from the war, it was still a tragic loss. After interviewing everyone near the crime scene, they had a good description of the culprit. It turned out that their victim had angered a local gang and that killing the vet was an initiation for one Pablo Fuentes. They had captured Pablo without incident, but when Pablo saw that he would be going to prison. Pablo stated that he had just been burning the trash and should get a medal instead of ten to life. The lack of humanity on the killer's part had turned Kate's stomach. So the quiet dinner with just Richard and Alexis helped Kate wash the case out of her mind.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the limo pulling up in front of the restaurant. Rick got out first and then helped both Kate and Alexia out of the car. Castle put an arm around each and escorted them up the Red Carpet about halfway to the door. There they stopped for the photo op. Rick had a huge smile on his face.

"Isn't this great,." He said to the reporters. "Two of the most beautiful women in New York and I get to take them both to dinner."

They paused a moment longer and then proceeded into the restaurant. They entered into a small foyer. To the right was a large piano bar. It was dimly lit and partially obscured by a pair of red velvet curtains that were neatly tied back by golden tasseled cords. To the left was a wider entrance into the restaurant. Kate let out a small gasp as they were escorted to their waiting table by the hostess, who wore a slinky black evening gown. Kate tried to take in the whole restaurant at once.

The Starlight Longue was an anachronism, it could very well have been around in the Big Band era of the late 30s to early 40s. The style of the interior was art deco, all square edges and rounded arches. The floor was covered by what could only be described as a lush red carpet. The tables and booths were all covered with pristine white linen. Thick red linen napkins were folded into a triangular shape and sat up like tiny blood red pyramids flanked by impossibly shiny silverware. Each table or booth had a votive candle underneath a red glass globe. The opulent tables were arrayed around the edges of the room leaving a nice sized space for dancing. Along the rear wall of the dining room was a stage where a band was playing "String of Pearls." There were a smattering of dancers swaying to the rhythm. The ceiling was about twenty feet overhead and boasted five huge crystal chandeliers. A huge pastoral mural ringed the edge of the ceiling.

"Wow, Castle this place is…." Kate tried and failed to describe the scene before her.

"I know, isn't this place great." Castle effused.

"I was going to say gaudy, but I guess it could be called great" Kate teased.

"Wait until you see the menu. It is awesome. They have the best Key Lime Cheesecake in all of Manhattan."

Richard busied himself seating the two most important women in his life. Kate shot Alexis a sly glance, Kate's lips pursed mischievously. Even during the last month, when it seemed that a media hell had descended into Kate's life, Alexis had been a steadfast friend. Alexis dispensed little nuggets of wisdom an how to survive the unwanted attention. Kate was grateful for the anchor that Alexis provided.

"Be nice; Dad went to a lot of trouble to get us a table here. The Filthy Rich and the mournfully nostalgic, kill to get a table here. Yes, the place is lavishly gaudy, and some might even go as far as saying it is tacky, but the food here is excellent." Alexis winked, as Rick smile faltered.

"Hey, this is a place out of time, besides the renovations on the place, this is what it looked like when it was first built. It even has its own mysterious murder and the resulting haunting." Castle defended.

"Of course it does," Kate replied conveying her disbelief.

"It's true; the original owner was found in his office strangled to death. His office was locked from the inside, mind you, and no evidence was ever found that would lead to a killer. Before this place was turned into the Starlight, it was a burlesque house…"

"Dad, should you really be telling this story while your daughter is sitting at the table?" Alexis said, blushing.

"All I was going to say is that one of the dancers was killed by a jealous lover the same night as the original manager, and she is supposed to haunt the place. I am trying to give Kate a little background. This place represents the heyday of old New York. It's not gaudy or tacky; it is opulent."

The waitress, dressed in an extremely short black cocktail dress came by to take drink orders. Alexis and Kate shared a knowing look seeing that Castle was lost in thoughts of the Starlight of years past. Kate took a look at the menu and almost dropped it. The prices were outrageously opulent. She could feed herself for a week on the price of one plate here.

"My god, Rick you could make a car payment for the price of dinner here."

"Hey, no price is too great, when it comes to the two most important women in my life."

"Grans, might be very interested to know that she was not included in that list." Alexis teased.

"I offered to bring your Grandmother, but she is too wrapped up in starting her acting school, to take the time to break bread with us lesser mortals. Besides if you think I'm bad when it comes to storytelling, your Grandmother would already be spinning some yarn about the potential Mr. Right that she misplaced while dining here, back in her heyday."

"Martha is not that bad…" then Kate conceded, "Okay she can be that bad, but only to annoy her son."

"Look, Dad, Buddy Miller's band is playing tonight," Alexis added, eyes twinkling.

"Oh, just shoot me now… You guys are right this place is way too tacky. Let's go get Thai food." Rick moaned.

"What's this," Kate asked.

"Buddy was one of dads college friends. Buddy was in the music program, while Dad was in English studies. To hear Buddy tell the story, he and Dad were besties. Anytime we go to a venue where Buddy is playing Buddy always calls Dad up on stage to play. Buddy loves to hear Dad play Honky Tonk Train Blues."

Rick moved his seat closer to Kate's chair, so his back was to the bandstand. He picked his menu and tried his best to ignore his surroundings. Kate and Alexis exchanged a playful look.

"You know, I don't think I have ever heard Honky Tonk Train Blues. How does it go," Kate teased?

"The Filet Mignon is especially good. And the Cocktail sauce for the shrimp appetizer is really to die for." Castle said trying his best to ignore the other two at the table.

"Dad can really tickle that ivory," Alexis added, getting into the spirit of things. "After seeing the agonizing way he types,, you would think that his fingers couldn't move that fast."

"Hey, I am not a slow typist. Besides, it's two different skill sets. When playing the piano, unless you are playing jazz, you already know what you are going to play, when you write you have to make it up as you go along. That takes time…, to do it right." Castle explained.

"Most of your critics think you do it wrong so what's your excuse?" Kate enjoyed teasing Richard.

"When one of my critics writes a best seller, then and only then, will I take what they say seriously."

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat for you tonight…" The Bandleader spoke over the mic.

Castle groaned.

"My good friend, and college roommate, well for a semester, at least, is out in the house tonight. You know and love him as a mystery writer, but folks, he is also an accomplished pianist. Give a real warm welcome to Mr. Rick Castle."

Rick waved from his seat a the polite applause.

"Come on, Ricky you owe me." Buddy shot back.

"How do I owe you?" Castle shot back.

"You know the thing with the Prison guard at the lady's prison."

Rick appeared to ponder that for a moment, "All right, one song," Castle gave in.

Rick walked up to another smattering of polite applause. When he got to the stage he turned to Buddy, "You know that the people here are very disappointed, They thought that the sign said Barney Miller. Not Buddy, so they are all hoping for a séance with Hal Linden."

The crowd tittered at the joke.

Castle sat down at the piano and at first slowly caressed the keys, but quickly broke into a fast-paced Honky Tonk tune, that did bring the train vibe. Rick's eyes were closed as he continued the melody, a half smile on his lips. Kate remembered last fall when she had learned that Rick could play. She fondly remembered the hotel bar, the night before his Mascaraed Ball. She had just been getting to know the Richard, that most people never saw. The vulnerable man behind the facade. While in the bar he had played a few mellow tunes. Tonight his fingers seemed to skate across the keys coaxing a lively melody as the tune reached its conclusion,, his playing slowed, as if, like a train pulling into a station, Ricks fingers also had to slow before they could come to a stop. Richard made a move to get up.

"No man, this is at least a two-song night."

Rick stared at Buddy flatly."

"You know, the thing with the School nurse and the banana."

Richard sighed and reseated himself and took up another lively tune.

Barney had moved over to Rick's table with his wireless mic in hand and promptly sat in Rick's chair. He smiled hello to Alexis, who smiled in return. He introduced himself to Kate and shook her hand.

"So what's the deal with the Prison guard?" Kate was afire with curiosity.

"Oh, it's nothing, I make up excuses on why Ricky owes me, so he gets to play the reluctant artist. The truth be told, he plays better than my keyboardist. I think up outlandish reasons, and Rick gets to play, under duress.."

"So nobody can write about Castle upstaging the band." Kate surmised.

"Exactly, although sometimes these little fictitious favors do make it to page six." Buddy chuckled.

Rick got up quickly after his second tune. He bowed lavishly to the applause and returned to his seat. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Buddy sitting in his chair. Buddy stood and said his goodbyes and returned to leading his band.

The dinner was as lavish and tasty as promised. The steak was delicious, and the tangy lime flavor of the cheesecake was absolutely divine. The Talk around the table was light and cheerful, gone were Kate's thoughts of the prior day and its senseless murder. The band continued to play swing and jazz tunes. The one thing that was missing, from the experience, was the obligatory fan who always came over to beg for an autograph or a selfie with Rick. Kate guessed that the upper crust wouldn't be caught dead asking the upstart writer for any fan service. As they sat during the after-meal glow, they talked quietly.

"Well, Ladies, I am happy to tell you that the pre-arrival deposit has been paid so, it is all set in stone, the first week of June we will be southward bound. The lovely little bungalow down in the keys is ours for the week. So Alexis, no more snow days, you are not allowed to keep us from enjoying the whole week."

"Gee, Dad, I'm not exactly responsible for the weather. It's good to know that everything is set for our week at the beach."

"I have made an executive decision; I will not be bringing my laptop, so neither of you can bring work, school or otherwise," Rick looked pointedly at the pair.

"But Dad…" Alexis started.

"I was hoping to catch up on the backlog of paperwork I am behind on…"

"You both have three months to get caught up. This vacation will be the first time I have not taken my laptop down to the Keys, so I expect a little sacrifice from the two of you as well. This beach trip is our first vacation together, so I want to make it special. Now if you don't mind Alexis, I am going to go cut the rug with Kate. I hope you will save the next dance for me."

"Of course Dad," Alexis agree with a smile.

Richard escorted Kate to the dance floor. The band picked up the melody of 'Sentimental Journey.' He was smiling a dreamy smile as they pulled each other into a dancing embrace. Kate enjoyed the feeling as they began to sway to the moody rhythm.

"What's the smile for," Kate asked?

"Sometimes I think that I was born too late. I love these old tunes. I love Rock, don't get me wrong, but these tunes just move me for some reason. I was thinking about having Nikki get into an accident of some kind and then having a hallucination about being back in the forties and being a private eye. It would be a fun little romp, but Black Pawn wouldn't go for it. I might write it anyway, just for fun. Alexis could publish after I'm gone. I would have to sit down and go through all the movies, with Bogart and Cagney to get in the right mood."

"I could get behind that; I love the old gangster movies. One weekend when Alexis is at a sleepover, and we can just lounge around, I'd love to stretch out beside you, and veg, while Sam Spade gets his grove on."

"It's a date then," Ricked agreed, "When do you think we could foist our young ingenue off on some unsuspecting parents," Rick quipped.

"We will not foist… But I know that Paige is having a Birthday in a couple of weeks, so maybe a sleepover will be on the agenda."

"We can hope," Rick agreed.

Kate found herself anticipating the movie marathon. She did love the black and white movies, where the good guys won, and the bad guys got justice. She admitted to herself that she was hooked. She had fought a valiant fight, but Alexis and Richard were just too skilled. She wanted nothing more than be with them. During the enforced separation, that the media frenzy had caused, Kate had been miserable at work. She missed her partner not being there. She missed his quips and the snappy repartee that went through the Bullpen when Castle was there. She laughed softly, last year at this time she was in a constant state of denial. Look at her now, in the arms and bed of a man that she had told others that she vehemently disliked. A year is a long time, and the Castles had worked their magic and Kate could not be happier. As the last strains of the melody died, she placed a lavish kiss on Rick's lips.

"Thank you," she said simply.

"Your welcome," Rick returned, " Tell me what I did so I can do it again."

"Just for being you," Kate returned.

They returned to the table, and Rick took Alexis out on the floor. Kate watched and enjoyed the sight of Father and Daughter dancing together. Unlike many teenagers, Alexis loved being with her Dad. Kate imagined that few of Alexis' friends wanted to spend so much time with their parents. The Detective had overheard a phone conversation between Alexis and her current interest, Clive, Kate thought that was his name. Alexis had politely but firmly told her beau that she was going out with her parents for the night. Alexis did promise to be available for Valentines weekend. Kate thoughts were interrupted by her phone's text tone going off. She had left instructions for Ryan and Esposito to handle things and not to contact her unless it was an emergency. She looked at the text.

Battery Park

Double Homicide

Bring Appendage

IT'S REALLY WEIRD

Kate cursed her luck and waited until Castle and Alexis returned to the table. Rick saw the look and knew what it meant.

"Alexis, Honey, will you be okay going home alone? I think Kate has pulled a case and judging by her look it's bad."

"Sure Dad, you know I will. Maybe I'll have the driver go past Paiges Building and honk the horn" Alexis looked with concern at Beckett, "You two stay safe."

"It looks like doodie calls." Castle quipped.

"Don't you mean Duty?" Kate asked.

"Yeah, that too." Rick deadpanned

'I have missed this so much' Kate thought to herself.

A/N (2): Well here is Chapter 1. I will most likely be posting on the weekends. I am 700+ pages into a novel, and that takes up most of my weekdays. Unfortunately, the Starlight is pure fiction so I can only visit in my head. Chapter 2 will take Castle and Beckett to the crime scene and the game will be afoot. So see you next weekend, hopefully.