Hello everyone.

First, I would like to thank everyone who read my first story, 'Confessions'. I hope everyone enjoyed it.

To all who reviewed it, a special 'Thank You' to all of you. A super 'Thank You' to Fanficwriter(Emma) and RGoodfellow64. Your kind words inspired me to try my hand at another story(with more to follow, hopefully). I hope to 'hear' from you about this one, too(hint, hint). (You can still drop a review for 'Confessions', too. There's no time limit.) I'm not begging too much, am I? ;)

I would like to pass a special mention to tiff098765. She(I'm assuming, here) has a great story called 'The Watch and the Ring'. The reason that I mention that is that I thought that would make a good title for this story(you'll see why as you read this). I asked her if I could borrow it. She suggested a variation of it, but it didn't 'feel' right because I still felt like I was stealing her title.

That's what took me a little longer to get this one out. I had the story done about a week ago, but I had 'fun' trying to come up with a title. The one I sentled on won't make sense until you get to the end of the story(tease hee,hee).

SPOILER ALERT; This story is basically an almost retelling of the last 5 minutes of 'Tick, tick, tick' and all of 'Boom' except what I changed here and there. I was going to just write the parts I wanted to change, but it didn't feel right(plus I got carried away). It was fun re-watching those episodes so I could get it right. If you don't want to get spoiled, watch them first. If not, have fun.

Disclaimer; I don't own Castle, but if they don't get together this season, I will when I hit the lottery and get them together.

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Batting a Thousand - Chapter 1

Richard Castle was praying like he never had before in his life. Praying that the cab would go faster. Praying that he was wrong. Praying that he wasn't too late.

Time seamed to stand still and speed by at the same time. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but it was only minutes, that he and his family realized they were all fooled. That Ben Conrad wasn't the killer. That the real 'Nikki Heat' killer was still out there. That his partner was still in danger. That was all that mattered to him.

To get to Kate Beckett in time.

He's been dialing her number non-stop since he left his loft. Still no answer. 'Pick up the goddamn phone.' he kept saying to himself, over and over.

After he paid the cabbie, he broke into a run, phone still up to his ear. Finally, the sweetest sound he ever heard hit his ear.

"What, Castle?" Kate asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"It wasn't Ben Conrad! He's not the killer!" Rick shouted. "The killer's still alive!" He repeated several times.

Rick suddenly heard a cold, mechanical voice on the other end. "Goodbye Nikki. Goodbye Nikki."

Just across the street from Kate's apartment, he heard -and felt- the most horrifying sound of his life.

The blast was deafening. He couldn't begin to desribe what it sounded like. It lit up the street like the midday sun. And, even across the street, it felt like standing in front of a blast furnace.

When it went off, Rick reflexively turned away from the blast, shielding his face.

As Rick turned, looking at the flames, only one thought kept going through his mind.

Kate.

After what seemed like an eternity, but was barely half a minute, Rick ran towards Kate's building.

Racing up the stairs, he reached Kate's door in record time. It took several shoulder blocks, but the door caved in, Rick falling on top of it. After getting up quickly, exclaiming to himself about how hot the door was, he began to look around. What he saw stunned him. It wasn't an apartment. It was a war zone. Nothing was recognizable. Everything looked destroyed - small fires dancing everywhere.

"Kate! Are you in there!" He shouted. "Kate!" Nothing. "Kate!" Still nothing. "Kate!" He was starting to get a lump in his throat. He kept looking, but hope was rapidly fading, replaced with dread.

Then, when he thought her voice in the phone was the sweetest sound of his life, the sound of her coughing was a thousand times better.

He followed the sound, stepping carefully until he reached her bathroom. Well, what was left.

When he stepped in, he couldn't have been happier. "Beckett! You're alive!" Then, a little shocked, seeing her in her bathtub. "Ooh. And you're naked."

"Castle! Turn around!" She shouted.

Upon turning, Rick made an observation. "You know, your apartment's on fire. Now might not be the best time for modesty."

She just ignored his comment. "Hand me a towel."

"On fire."

"What about a robe?"

Nope. "Don't you have anything unflammable?"

She sighed, then held up her hand. "Castle, give me your coat."

Rick quickly complied, taking it off and holding it out for her.

Kate stood up in the tub. "Don't look." After he mumbled 'I'm not' a few times, she stepped out and wrapped the coat around herself(with his help). Kate tried to hide it, but Rick noticed her wince as soon as she stepped on the floor. Remembering how hot the door was when he got there, he reacted instantly, picking her up bridal style in his arms. Her arms reflexively reached around Rick's neck.

"Castle! What are you doing?" she exclaimed, shooting him a look.

"Carrying you." he stated, matter-of-factly. Upon her questioning look, he continued. "The floor is hot. I just don't want you getting hurt, you with no shoes on."

Her gaze softened considerably, seeing nothing but concern and caring in his eyes. "Thank You." she whispered as he carried her out of what remained of her apartment.

"Anything for you." was his reply, as she rested her head on his shoulder.

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The next few hours were trying, to say the least. Kate was in the ambulance getting her wrist wrapped and a cut on her forehead taken care of(after Lanie brought by some clothes that Kate had at the precinct for emergencies).

When she stepped out of the ambulance, she was met by FBI Special Agent Jordan Shaw. After several minutes of intense conversation, Jordan agreed to keep Kate on the investigation - but under Jordan's 'my way or the highway' rules.

After it was deemed safe, Rick, Kate and her team, as well as Jordan and her team, began the 'fun' task of looking through Kate's apartment for clues. Although there were two very precious items Kate was wanting to find more than anything.

Standing up from were she was looking, Kate asked. "Did anyone find my father's watch...or my mother's ring?"

Everyone shook their heads. Rick answered. "I've looked everywhere...I'm sorry."

Rick's heart was breaking for Kate. She tried to hide it, but he could hear the fear and panic in her voice. He knew better than almost anyone how much those meant to her. If she had to lose everything she owned(which she just did), he knew those would hurt the most. He mentally promised himself - and her - that he would move heaven and hell to find them.

But right now, they had a killer to catch.

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Back at the station, they formulated a plan. Realizing that the three previous victims all had been chosen for their links to Ben Conrad, and that he was himself a victim, they had to focus on his activities. Treat Ben Conrad like he was the first killed, instead of the last.

Through their investigation, they discovered that he was a lonely man, currently unemployed. He had a laptop with internet activity, but no access at his apartment. They also discovered that he was a Knicks fan(poor guy) but had no television. Those two led them to the conclusion that he had to go to a bar that had sports airing and Wi-Fi access for its patrons, as well as coffee houses that had Wi-Fi.

Kate sent Esposito and Ryan to check out the coffee houses, while she and Rick would check the local bars.

As they walked to the next of what seemed like an endless number of bars, Rick was mumbling/complaining. "You know, it would be nice to get something more than a 'Sorry, haven't seen him'."

Kate glanced up and a smile grew. "Buck up Castle. I got a feeling this place is different."

Rick glanced in the direction where Kate was walking and did a double-take when he saw the sign.

In big, colorful letters, it read; 'Home of New York's Very Own Serial Killer Ben Conrad!'

He just shook his head and rolled his eyes before following Kate, thinking to himself. 'Only in New York.'

While questioning the bartender, they found that Ben struck up a conversation a couple weeks back with a 'average looking white guy'. When asked if this guy paid by credit card, the bartender said no. When asked if he had asked for a cab, they were in luck. The bartender remembered - thanks to him interupting overtime(heaven forbid) - exactly when she called the cab for him.

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Back at the 12th, after contacting the cab company, they found out where the cab dropped him off. Kate and Rick were talking about how to proceed.

"How about we stake out the corner?" Rick asked.

"And, what, Castle, look for an 'average looking white guy'?" Kate responded. "We can't be even sure what he looks like."

"But.." Jordan added, walking into the room, carrying some files. "..we know a lot more than we did before."

"How do you figure?" Kate asked.

Jordan proceeded to explain - while handing files to Kate and Rick - that they were assuming he was a certain type because he was trying to act like someone else. Now that they knew that wasn't the case, they had a better profile. He was highly intelligent, probably with an organization like Mensa. He was a control freak. And he probably subscribed to a certain list of periodicals.

Upon looking at that list Rick commented. "You know, I subscribe to some of these."

"You also kill people." Jordan said. When Rick looked at her, she added with a wink. "In your books."

When they went to the room where the FBI had their 'smart board' set up, Agent Avery entered the new information. Around the area that the cab dropped the 'guy' off, they got seventeen hits. One stood out. A 'Chris Doherty'. The only thing was, according to his social security number, he died in 2004. Six years ago. It was obviously a stollen identity.

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They - Kate, Rick, Jordan and her team - arrived at 'Doherty's' address in minutes. After the door was popped and the apartment secured - with, unfortunately, no one home - Kate, Rick, and Jordan entered.

When Rick looked around he had a sense of deja vu`. His mind immediately flashed back to the first case he worked with Kate - the Tisdale case. What he remembered back then had nothing on the sight before him.

When Kate walked in, well let's just say there could be an earthquake and she wouldn't notice. Shocked. Stunned. They didn't begin to cover the emotions running through her.

Every wall seemed to be filled with pictures and stories about her. Hand drawn pictures, publicity shots, the Cosmo article, 'Nikki Heat' promotions, too many to mention. It seemed like her entire life was on display.

Looking around, they found other things of interest. They found one of Rick's books autographed 'To Scott, write what you know'(Rick didn't remember him). They also found two manuscripts; one titled 'Dead Heat', which was basically the blue print for the four murders they were investigating, and one titled 'Night Terrors', which was about a prostitute serial killer in Seattle. Apparently, their boy was a busy little bee.

The one thing that surprised them the most was what they didn't find. In the whole apartment there wasn't one fingerprint. They hypothesized that their boy liked to play with fire. Charming.

Jordan instructed everyone to 'un-ass' - basically get out and leave everything as is. Of course, a certain someone couldn't resist taking the 'Dead Heat' manuscript.

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Kate, Rick, and Jordan were seated in the FBI serveillance van while Agent Avery and the rest of the team were set up undercover around the building, waiting...

Jordan noticed Rick reading the manuscript and asked him if he understood what 'un-ass' meant. Seeing his blank look, she went on to explain. After saying something about that being 'so cool' and writing that in his notebook, Jordan turned her attention to Kate.

"Is he always like this?" Jordan asked.

A smile grew on Kate's face. "Castle has the attention span of a cocker spaniel."

"Mmmm." Jordan hummed, sipping her drink. "And the loyalty, too." Seeing Kate's raised eyebrow, she continued. "He's by your side constantly. It's very rare for someone who's not a cop be that dedicated."

Anything else Jordan might have said was lost as Kate was thinking about what she said. Javier and Kevin were loyal to her and she was to them. But they were fellow police officers. Rick wasn't, but he was loyal to her almost to a fault. Thinking back to last night, if it wasn't for that loyalty - trying to call her, to get to her apartment - she wasn't sure what would have happened. She was almost certain she would be dead. Rick's call gave her enough presence of mind - barely - that she could think fast enough to dive into her tub when she heard that monotone 'Goodbye Nikki'. Thinking about that, and the other things he's done for her over the past year, she was beginning to see him in a new light...

She was brought out of her internal monologue by something Jordan is saying to her team. Apparently there was one-too-many members of her team on a building with binoculars. After confirming that it was not one of theirs, Jordan realizes they've been made. She instructs everyone to converge to the building he's on.

Jordan get's out of the van, Kate and Rick ready to follow.

Jordan stops, tuns around and points to Kate. "You. Stay in the van. You're a target." And with that she shuts the door on both of them.

Kate looks at Rick. He just says. "Welcome to my world." She sighs.

While Jordan and her team are entering the building, Kate and Rick are watching the monitors. She notices that the guy they saw on the roof is escaping through a window from an adjacent building. Kate goes to leave the van. Rick starts to say something, but she just shuts the door in his face.

When Kate rounds the corner, she spots him. They make eye contact and he has a sadistic grin on his face. She draws her gun and tells him to freeze, but there are too many people to risk firing, and he knows it. He runs. She chases him until they reach a subway enterance. After running down the stairs into the subway, he jumps the turnstile, Kate right behind him. He manages to get to a subway car just before the door closes(doesn't that always seem to happen), just ahead of her. As the car speeds off, he's grinning and waving. All she could do was stare as he speeds away. Damn.

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When they got back to the 12th, the video from the subway cameras was loaded on the 'smart board'. After running the guy's picture through facial-recognition, they get a hit. His name comes back as Scott Dunn. He was involved in an arson out west(which explains the lack of fingerprints) and he spent three years in a psych ward, as well as other activities. Charming fellow. Jordan instucts her team to get all the information they could on him asap. Jordan then motions for Kate so they can talk. Kate asks what their next move was. Jordan informs her that for her there wouldn't be one. That she's off the case. Kate protests, saying that she just got them their biggest lead. Jordan simply states that she didn't follow her rules, so she was out.

That led Kate and Rick to a trip to the Captain's office.

"Sir." Kate started. "They can't do this."

"I'm afraid they can." Captain Montgomery stated.

"This is my life." she responded. "My case."

"I'm sorry Beckett, but the fed's have got jurisdiction." Roy paused. "Go home."

Kate felt exasperated. "I don't have a home."

Rick piped in then. "Yes you do. It's a secure building with an extra bedroom and people who care about you."

Kate turned to look at Rick. Even if her voice didn't show it, her eyes conveyed to Rick gratitude. "Thank you Castle, but I couldn't."

"You can and you will." Rick simply stated.

Kate turned back to the Captain, but Roy cut her off before she could start, basically ordering her to go.

She turned to Rick, looking at her with nothing but concern in his eyes. Seeing the defeat in hers, Rick tried to lighten the mood. He grew a smile and made a grand, sweeping gesture toward the door, half bowing. It seemed to work, because Kate grew a small smile and walked by him, playfully swatting his arm. Rick quickly fell in step beside her and they headed out. Headed...home.

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Rick unlocked his door, ushering Kate inside. After taking her coat and hanging it up, he asked if she wanted anything to drink. She just said that whatever he was having was fine. He went to the kitchen to fix some coffee. She smiled her appreciation as he handed her her mug. They both then went to sit at the dining room table. They just sat there, holding their cups, barely drinking, lost in their own thoughts.

Kate was the first to break the silence. "Who'd have thought I'd be homeless and caseless in one day."

Rick sat his cup down and reached over, gently squeezing her arm for comfort. "Kate..." The use of her first name caught her attention, her eyes meeting his. "For as long as you need, you have a place here."

Her breath caught. Seeing nothing but sincerity in his eyes, her heart started beating a little faster. She returned the gesture, shifting her hand so she could hold his arm. It's an odd grip, like an indian handshake, but much more...meaningful.

"Rick..." She pauses. Unsure of exactly what to say, she keeps it simple, replying with a smile. "Thank You."

"Always."

They stay like that for a few minutes, seemingly lost in each others eyes.

After giving each other one last gentle squeeze, they slowly released their grips, going back to nursing their mugs.

"So-" Kate asked after a minute. "-with this case, do you regret writing 'Heat Wave'?"

"Well, the way I look at it now-" he replied, refering to a talk they had when this whole case started. "-if it wasn't for 'Nikki Heat', he would've just kept on killing because he wouldn't have met anyone smart enough to catch him." That drew a warm smile from Kate. "I, of course-" he continued, holding his cup up to hide his smirk. "-am refering to Special Agent Shaw."

Kate literally put her tongue in her cheek, fighting a laugh. She picked up a cloth napkin, flipping it in Rick's face. "'Night, Castle." And with that, she got up to go to bed.

"'Night."

Kate made her way to the - her - bedroom. Just as she reached the door, a thought comes to mind. She didn't have anything here. No change of clothes, underwear, pajamas, deodorant. Nothing. She sighed. She was looking foward to changing, getting comfortable, but that just wouldn't be possible. Sighing, she just resigned herself to the fact that she would just have to go to bed with what she had on.

When she opened the door, what she saw stopped her in her tracks.

There were several bags from different clothing stores on...her bed. She walked over to inspect them. She found several pairs of jeans and slacks. Several sweaters, shirts, and button-down shirts. As well as some leather jackets, boots(high heel, of course), and different shoes and socks. When she inspected them, she was surprised to find that they are all in her size. How?

She finds two envelopes with her name on them. She recognized Rick's writing on one and starts with that one. When she opened it, what she read made her heart beat a little faster.

KB,

I know that I can't replace what you lost, but I hope these help a little.

RC

She can't help the smile that grows on her face. Short and sweet, just like he wa... 'Huh? Where'd that come from?' She thought to herself.

She opened the second envelope.

Kate,

Dad told us you would need some basics with what happened. Since basics are different for women than for men, he assigned us that duty. Don't worry, we made sure he didn't peek ;) . You'll find those in the adjoining bathroom. We hope it helps.

Alexis and Martha

After she read that, she went into the bathroom. Again, she found several bags on the floor. Looking through them, she found that everything she needed was there. All of the 'feminine junk' as she's heard different guys call them, as well as several pairs of underwear and bras of different styles(she found that they were her size, too. She made a note to herself to ask them how they did that.) and pajamas. She also found different lotions and bath oils(different fragrences - but mostly cherry) and make-up, as well as other hygene products. Looking on the sink, she saw a new toothbrush and toothpaste.

"That family thought of everything.' She thought to herself. It warmed her heart.

She went through the bags and got out what she needed for bed - a change of underwear and pajamas - and pulled an outfit aside to wear tomorrow. She then washed and brushed her teeth. After she changed, she set all the bags on the floor(she would put them away, later) then turned off the lights and went to bed. She was still upset with losing her apartment and getting kicked off the case, but because of the efforts of Rick and his family, Kate was able to go to sleep with a smile on her face.

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When Kate woke the next morning, she was confused. She wondered briefly why her bedroom looked different. Then realization dawned on her. She was at Rick's loft. Remembering quite clearly what happened yesterday, she flopped her head back on the pillows, groaning. She lifted her head after a minute, checking the time on the clock on the nightstand. Even though she didn't have to go in(being taken off the case) her internal body-clock still woke her up early. Not being able to go back to sleep, she decided to get up. After washing up in the bathroom, she decided to dress casual. Looking through the clothes they left her, she decided on a maroon sweater, sweat pants and tennis shoes.

Coming downstairs, Kate didn't see anyone else around. Wanting to do something to show her appreciation, she checked the kitchen to see what they had on hand.

'Aha!' she thought to herself. She spotted the eggs, bacon, and makings for french toast. After hunting down the pots, pans, and utensils, she proceeded to fix breakfast for everyone, as well as put on some coffee(the most important thing to start the morning). It wasn't long before the heavenly smells stirred up the rest(?) of the Castle clan.

As they coverged to the kitchen, Alexis was the first to speak up. "'Morning Kate."

"'Morning Alexis."

"You know-" Alexis continued, motioning to the breakfast Kate was fixing. "-you didn't have to do this. You are our guest."

"I know, but I wanted to-" Kate responded while plating the breakfast. "-for all the trouble I'm putt-"

"Katherine Beckett!" Martha interupted. "Don't think for a minute that you are any trouble." She went around in the kitchen to stand next to Kate, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder, making sure they were seeing eye-to-eye. "You are a dear friend of this family...and welcome anytime."

Kate just stared at Martha, seeing nothing but warmth in her eyes. Looking at Alexis and Rick, she saw Alexis nodding in agreement and Rick's knowing smile, remembering their conversation from the night before. How this family welcomed her into their home warmed her to no end.

She was brought out of her thoughts when her cell phone rang(it was one of the few things that survived her apartment).

She answered in her professional voice. "Beckett." After listening for a few minutes, she said. "We'll be right there." Then hung up.

Rick noticed the concerned look on her face. "What happened?"

Kate just looked at him. "That was Agent Avery. Shaw never made it home last night."

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A/N - All thoughts and reviews are greatly appreciated. Chapter 2 will be up soon.

Thank you for reading.

Louis