It may become apparent to you that I do NOT live in New York. In fact, I don't really like New York (no offense intended, I'm just a country girl), and I've only ever been twice. The second time I was just in 2 airports and a crappy hotel (long story). So if the geography doesn't make sense, I'm sorry. I try.

Please, oh please review!

Castle belongs to Andrew Marlowe and ABC, the lucky bastards.

CHAPTER 2

September 21, 2012, 4:30am

Kate's phone buzzed at some ungodly hour of the morning, and Rick groaned as she slid out of his arms to answer. He opened his eyes a crack, and saw that the sky wasn't even beginning to lighten. A glance at the clock told him it was four thirty. Son of a...

"Beckett" Kate said into the phone, her voice thick with sleep. Rick barely even heard her half of the conversation as he drifted back away from consciousness. They had only gone to bed a few hours earlier, for Christ's sake.

A few moments later Rick woke again as Kate ended the call. He sat up next to her, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "Body drop?"

Kate sighed deeply. "Yeah, dock workers pulled him out of the East River." Rick groaned again and slid down the headboard, running his hands through his hair. Kate chuckled softly. She was much more of a morning -or crack of dawn- person than Rick. "You don't have to come, you know."

"No, I'm coming" said Rick, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and hauling his exhausted body out of the bed. "If I don't go, this'll be the coolest crime scene this year and I'll miss it. But you owe me."

"Why do I owe you?"

"You kept me up until one thirty, then your job drags me out of bed three hours later…" Rick shook his head in mock disapproval.

Kate threw a pillow at his head and made a face. "I kept you up? I was going to stay at my apartment, you wanted me to come over."

They bickered all the way to the crime scene, where Lanie was crouched over the waterlogged body. "You two are way too damn happy for this hour of the morning" the ME remarked, her tone markedly less spunky at that early hour. The first rays of light were just beginning to sift through the cracks between the buildings across the river.

Castle handed over the cup of tea he had brought for Lanie, knowing that she didn't drink coffee. She had once asked Castle why he never brought breakfast for her, and since then he had made more of an effort to include the good doctor in his orders on the way to a crime scene. Lanie was Kate's best friend, after all. It couldn't hurt to be on her good side. That, and she was kind of scary for such a tiny woman.

Lanie took the drink gratefully and took a sip. ''I just got here myself" she said motioning toward the body of a dark haired man laying on his back a few feet away. "Can't tell you much yet. What I can tell you is that he was shot in the head, close range, by a large caliber bullet."

Castle and Beckett followed Dr. Parrish over to the body to take a look for themselves. "Have you got an…" Beckett began, but trailed off. She turned Castle, her face stricken. "Rick, that's…"

Castle swallowed hard and nodded, staring at the body. Knowing that this was one of the rare moments when it would be allowed, he wrapped an arm around Kate's shoulders. "I know'' he said.

"You know this guy?" Lanie asked, concern written all over her features as she glanced from Beckett to Castle and back again.

Beckett nodded. "It's Matthew Davis" she told Lanie, before turning to Castle. "What the hell was going on with him?"

September 19, 2012, 8:13pm

Kate sat and in a booth of the bar she and Matt used to frequent. He had texted to say that he was running late, so Kate had ordered a beer and a shot of tequila while she waited. She gazed around at the bar's other occupants, mostly cops, and let her mind wander. It wandered, of course, to Rick and the absolutely amazing things he had done to her body the night before. Christ, that man was full of surprises.

They had been together for six months now, and Kate was already imagining spending the rest of her life with Rick. She stayed at his apartment almost every night, and she didn't sleep as well when he wasn't beside her. Kate had fallen in love with Alexis as well, though she had left for college just over a month earlier, and she adored Martha in all her dramatic glory. She loved having dinner with them, especially on the rare occasions when her father joined them. She loved their games and movie nights, enjoyed chatting with Alexis about school and "girl stuff" over the phone or when Rick wasn't around. It felt like family, and it was the first time Kate had felt so at home since her mother's death.

A slight blush crept over Kate's cheek as she thought about Rick's warm, solid body, those talented hands, that mouth that drove her crazy in more ways than one, those eyes of his that were so blue it was almost inhuman, that mind that knew her better than anyone else, that challenged and amazed her. She had never been a needy girl, one of those girlfriends who couldn't spend fifteen minutes without her boyfriend, but with Rick… Kate needed Rick. At work and in bed, for support, for laughter, for comfort, in every way a woman could need a man.

"What're you thinking about so hard?" said Matt, who was standing next to her.

"Hey!'' said Kate, shaking those thoughts out of her head before standing and hugging Matt.

A gorgeous twenty-something waitress arrived at the table. "I'll have what she's having" Matt told her, and she strode off with a nod.

"She was checking you out, Matt" said Kate. "You should get her number."

Matt shook his head. ''No, I don't think so."

Kate looked at her friend in shock. "Are you seeing someone? Or are hot young blondes not your type?"

Matt smiled stiffly. "Something like that."

As the tequila shots continued flowing, Kate and Matt caught up on the lost years, chatting about Matt's time at the LAPD, the people of California, some of Kate's more interesting cases, Ryan and Esposito's adventures. They reminisced on old times, the cases they'd solved, the ones they hadn't. They talked about Montgomery, shared their grief over a mutual friend and mentor.

Even through her growing buzz, Kate noticed that Matt winced very slightly every time she mentioned Rick's name. She brushed it off, thinking that Matt was probably just concerned for her. Most people, Matt included, knew only the Richard Castle of the tabloids, and that wasn't the real Rick at all. In time, Matt would see that and he would be fine with Rick. It wasn't until Matt brought up the writer himself that Kate was forced to confront the issue.

They stayed at the bar for over two hours before they decided to head home. Matt would walk Kate to her apartment, just a few blocks away, and then get a cab back to his place. Both had had a few shots too many, though Kate held liquor better than Matt did. It was still fairly early, and Kate texted Rick as they walked and asked him to meet her at her apartment. She didn't think she'd be able to sleep without seeing him once more before closing her eyes, but she did want to spend the night at her apartment. She was afraid her doorman was beginning to forget who she was.

"So, what's with you and the writer?" Matt asked, slurring is words slightly.

Kate smiled, even though she could sense the waves of animosity Matt was emitting. She couldn't help but smile when she thought of Rick.

"We met on a case" Kate told Matt,"four years ago. A killer was murdering people the way Castle did in his books, and we called him in to consult. I brought him in for questioning and he volunteered to consult, actually. After that case he decided to base Nikki Heat on me, and started following me around for book research." Kate shook her head. "I couldn't' stand him at first, but he actually turned out to be a valuable member of the team. He's smart, and he thinks outside the box. Castle's saved my life more than once…he's a lot different than his public image."

"So you two are…?"

"We're together, yeah."

"Why?" Matt snapped, the streetlights casting an eerie glow across his handsome face, making him look more dangerous than attractive. "You could do so much better than him, Kate. Don't you know that?"

Kate stopped near the entrance to her apartment building. She had never seen Matt like this before. "You don't know him, Matt. I don't think there is any better. Not for me."

Matt's face darkened, a look of utmost sadness and anger crossing his features. Kate had seen glimpses of this expression all evening, but now he was making no effort to hide it. It was the face of a man who was in trouble, and Kate couldn't help thinking that something other than missing New York had taken Matt from California. He was hiding something.

"Matt, is everything alright?" Kate asked.

He forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Can I walk you up?" he asked lightly, though his words were still a bit slurred and his brown eyes still filled with pain.

"Please do" said Kate with a smile, though she was still concerned for her friend.

The entered her building and rode the elevator together wordlessly. Matt seemed deep in thought. His eyes, bleary from the tequila, were downcast and his expression was grave. Kate was tempted to press him for more information, to see what she could do to help him get out of whatever he had gotten himself into, but she decided that this wasn't the time. Matt was too drunk. Neither spoke a word until they reached the door to Kate's apartment.

"That was fun, Matt. We should do it again sometime, now that you're back on this side of the country." Kate smiled, but Matt still looked distraught. He was gazing at Kate with bleary-eyed sadness and apprehension that broke her heart, so she leaned over and kissed him gently on the cheek.

Matt misread her actions. Before Kate knew what hit her she was pinned to the door, Matt's mouth pressed hard against hers, his hands all over her body. She pushed at him, resisted, but Matt was far stronger. He clasped her hands in his and pinned them to the wall by her head, pressing his body fully into hers. Kate continued to resist to no avail. She tried aiming a knee at his groin, but before she could get it there Matt was gone.

September 19, 2012, 10:58pm

The doorman let Rick up, having seen him so many times in the last few years. "Miss Beckett just got home, Mr. Castle" he said by way of greeting.

"Thanks Chris" said Rick, waving as he made his way to the elevator. It had only been a few hours since he had seen Kate, but he had been relieved to get her text. He could spend the night without her, of course. He was a grown man and had spent many a night in his bed without her company. He just didn't like to anymore. He slept more soundly with Kate by his side, and woke feeling happier when she was there in the morning.

The elevator doors opened on Kate's floor, and Rick stepped out. He made it three steps before he froze, his heart plummeting at the sight before him. Kate was kissing Matt Davis. Kate Beckett was pinned against the wall kissing Matt Davis, her body flush with his. Wait.

No. Matt Davis was kissing Kate Beckett. And Kate was trying like hell to push him off.

The feeling of agony that had settled in Rick's chest was rapidly replaced with fury. He closed the distance between the elevator and Kate's door in record time, grabbing the smaller man by the shoulders and yanking him away from Kate, slamming him against the opposite wall. Matt was a muscular guy, but he was three inches shorter than Rick and not nearly as strong. Matt gazed through shocked and drunken eyes at Rick, remaining motionless for several moments before he even attempted to fight back. When he started to struggle Rick merely pushed him more firmly against the wall, holding him such that his feet dangled an inch or two off the ground.

"You come within three feet of her" Rick growled. "And I swear to God I'll kill you."

Matt attempted to struggle again, managing to slip out of Rick's grasp. "Get the hell off of me!" he shouted. "She wanted it."

Rick glanced back at Kate, who looked as horrified as he had seen her and was shaking her head vehemently. Rick placed a hand firmly in the center of Matt's chest and shoved him against the wall, crowding into his face again. "No. She didn't. And if you touch her again, it'll be the last thing you do. Do you hear me?" Rick stared Matt down for a few moments. The man glanced across the hall at Kate and then at least had the decency to look ashamed. "Get out. Now" said Rick, releasing Matt and moving to stand beside Kate.

Matt sulked off down the hall, and Rick noticed for the first time the audience they had attracted. Heads poked out of each of the doors on the hallway, looking shocked, fearful, but most of all curious. The elderly woman in 5D was looking at Kate sternly and shaking her head in disapproval, apparently of the opinion that Kate was trouble. The couple in 5A did at least look as though they might be concerned for Kate's wellbeing.

Kate forced a smile and flashed the badge on her hip. "Everything's under control" she told them. "Sorry to disturb you."

One by one the onlookers returned to their apartments, and Kate turned to unlock her own door. Her hand was shaking. Rick took the key from her gently, opening the door and ushering her in. As soon as they were in her apartment she was in his arms, curled into his chest with her head on his shoulder.

"You okay?" Rick asked softly, pressing his lips into her hair. He hated seeing her like this, hated anything that frightened her or made her feel unsafe. This wasn't entirely logical, Rick knew. She was a cop. It was just that so little ever phased Detective Kate Beckett, when something did it was truly disorienting.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Kate said, pulling back slightly. She looked calmer already. "I'm glad you showed up when you did."

"Yeah, well, what good am I if I can't be your knight in shining armor every once in a while?" said Rick, and earned a small smile from Kate.

"I've never seen him like that, Rick" said Kate. "He's in some kind of trouble, I just…I don't know…And he was pretty drunk. That didn't help."

"That doesn't mean he gets to…" Rick was unable to finish the statement. He shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if he hadn't shown up. Kate could have fought him off, of that Rick was sure. But she shouldn't have had to. She thought this man was a friend, for Christ's sake. Rick hadn't been lying when he said he would kill Matt if he hurt Kate. He'd do it and sleep well that night.

"I'm fine, Rick" said Kate, lifting his chin so that he met her gorgeous hazel eyes. She wrapped both arms around him and gave him a squeeze. "Watch a movie with me?" she asked with a smile.

Rick shifted from one foot to the other and made a face, being deliberately childish. "Do we have to watch another chick flick?" he whined. "Between you and Alexis that's all I ever watch."

Kate smirked. "You secretly love them, Mr. 'I know all the ladies from Sex and the City.'"

Rick sighed deeply."You're never gonna let me live that down, are you?"

Kate shook her head. "You're just a flaming metrosexual, Mr. Castle. I can't help it if the truth hurts."

Rick narrowed his eyes at Kate. "Is that right?" She nodded stubbornly, so Rick bent down and picked her up by the legs, tossing her over his shoulder. Kate shrieked with laughter as he dropped her on the couch and flopped down beside her.

The incident wasn't forgotten, but Kate was fine, and she didn't seem to want to talk about it anymore. No surprises there. As it was, Rick was content to do whatever Kate needed him to do. But he would certainly be keeping an eye on Matt Davis.