Chapter 1

He couldn't help but see the caller ID on Beckett's phone, and the looks of happiness on the faces in the image. "Your doctor has impeccable timing, Detective, have a good night." Rising from his chair beside Beckett's desk and making his way to the elevator.

Beckett looked down at her phone seeing her face pressed against Josh's as they smiled at the camera. Her eyes raised to the elevator where her partner and best friend had entered and was pressing the button for what she was sure the first floor.

"Tomorrow?" Kate called out not expecting nor receiving an answer from Castle. She did receive a raised hand and had to assume that he had heard her.

Turning her attention to her phone she answered on what she was sure was the final ring before the call was relegated to voice mail. "Hey, Josh."

Her mind wandered to the picture in her hand, the one Castle had provided as a gift just moments earlier; the signed picture from the cast of Temptation Lane. She zoned out, not hearing a word that her boyfriend had said the past few minutes.

Strangely it the "Babe?" that startles her out of her thoughts. He knows I hate for him to call me that.

"Yes?!" She replied slightly annoyed and unwilling to keep it to herself but trying to get past the anger. Realizing that he calling because had asked her to dinner earlier in the week. "Yeah I'm ready, let me get my coat and I'll meet you there."

She entered elevator flummoxed as she thought about Castle's demeanor as he left as well as the excitement about an evening with Josh. It had been a couple of weeks since they had an evening that wasn't take out dinners cut short by the demands of each's career.

Xx

Castle made his way down the steps of the precinct and turned left bypassing the taxi's that were waiting for a fare, content to walk for a while. The brisk early March winds were cold on his face causing him to drew his scarf and jacket tighter as he walked. How has my life come to this? Pining for a woman who is so obviously in love with someone else. I must say I have turned into a pathetic version of a man.

The more he wandered the streets of the city the more he thought about his plight, and the more he thought about his plight the more he wandered. He took no preordained path just wandered taking turns to other streets or continuing on was determined solely by the whims of crosswalk and traffic lights; not wanting to stand still for the time it took for the light to change.

He eventually made his way down a familiar street, realizing where he was he picked up the pace deciding he needed a drink.

Castle entered the Old Haunt to the sound of an old-timey bell above the door shedding his jacket from the cold. He caught the eye of Brian his bartender and defacto manager. Brian nodded to the end of the bar where there were three men, two that he didn't know were flanking one that he obviously had dealings with previously.

Demming.

The wine flowed and the conversation floated between subjects. From the nuances of his job to the rigors of hers. She couldn't remember the last time she had enjoyed a date so much. She was able to tell him anything, but never everything. She was able to hide what she wanted from him and he never pushed. She was sure that he didn't even know she was hiding. Equally, she was sure he was hiding something from her and that was ok.

The thought occurred to her that she would never get away with that if Castle was in the seat across from her. She put that thought away for further ruminations later. She didn't want to think of Castle on her one honest to goodness date this month.

Their dessert arrived as well as the ringing of her phone. She was sure who it was and for once she decided not to answer. Surely he will leave a message.

Can't he go one night without calling her?! Josh murmured, smiling contently realizing that Kate hadn't heard him.

When the fourth call came in the other patrons in the upscale restaurant were beginning to grumble; willing her to answer. She pulled out her phone intend on giving Castle hell for disrupting her date, even though he had no knowledge of it. Seeing the name on the caller ID she changed her tact.

"Esposito this had better be good."

"Kate, you need to get back to the precinct now." Short and to the point.

"Espo, what's wrong?" She retorted in full detective mode.

"Not over the phone, just get here."

Dinner paid for Beckett attempted to part ways with Josh but he was having none of it. "You might not have to be there long, and then we can finish our night. Besides you can't work a case after having a few glasses of wine."

Knowing he was right about the wine and relishing the thought of spending time with him, after all, their time together this evening had been wonderful. "Yeah, okay, let's go."

Entering the bullpen she saw Montgomery in his office speaking with Demming and two others, presumably other robbery detectives, animatedly.

"Espo what the hell is so important tonight?" She called out as she was striding to her desk, which caught the attention of the occupants of the Captain's office. As she reached her desk she could see Montgomery dismissing his visitors.

"Hello, Kate." Demming said as he made his way past her desk, she glimpsed an eye that was quickly blackening.

"What happened to you?" She asked.

"Had one that didn't want to cooperate." He replied nonchalantly.

Deciding to speak up Josh offered, "You might want to put some ice on that. It looks like it might be sore tomorrow if you don't."

Demming considered Josh for a while before offering him his hand, "Yeah you're probably right. The names Tom Demming."

"Josh, Dr. Josh Davidson." The doctor replied as he stepped closer to Beckett trying to ensure that Demming knew she was with him. He had a hard enough time with Castle, he didn't need another man attempting to earn her affections with tales of heroism.

"Well, I have a report to finish, have a great night. Oh and thanks for the icepack, I think I'll follow you instructions doc'." That said Demming headed for the stairs.

"Now that the meet and greet is out of the way, why the hell are we here. Espo?" Beckett grumbled. "Well, I'm waiting."

"Castle is in holding." Esposito answered.

"In holding? What the hell for?" Incredulously she asked not believing her ears.

A voice of authority answered from behind her. "Felony assault and battery on a peace officer and resisting arrest." Montgomery said.

No one in the room, especially her boyfriend missed the slight buckle of her knees at the news. "What? How?" She asked leaning against her desk for support, shocked that this was happening.

"We don't know yet. I sent Ryan to get the tapes from the Haunt." Montgomery said. "Kate listen, I… you… you can't see him without me there okay. I don't want you to compound the situation."

"Why would I compound the sit…? Wait who was it that he assaulted?"

Esposito was uncharacteristically quiet waiting for the Captain to answer in his stead. He wasn't disappointed when Montgomery spoke again.

"Demming."

A/N: This is yet another story that The King Daddy and myself P2P are co-writing. We hope you like it, and please review! We'd like your thoughts.

A/N:2 Updates will be slow in coming, and we do apologize in advance. The King Daddy and I have very demanding jobs and writing has taken a back seat… for now. Thanks for understanding.