Well, they're back in the precinct and will everything be the same...not hardly...enjoy..let me know what you think

My love to my three favourite betas-Bree, Marjo, and Stella

XXOO, Melody

Their ride up in the elevator was somewhat chilly, in attitude if not temperature. Kate was still irritated by Gates directives, but more so in the manner which Rick and the boys had accepted, no relished, how they had been given permission to watch over her. She had been doing quite well before, this was overkill and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Rick had tried to playfully talk and tease her on the way home, but Kate was quiet, too quiet, and she had a scowl on her face. Rick tried to put his arm around her waist, but she stopped his efforts.

"Kate, what's the problem? I thought things went well today, if not a little boring."

"Seriously, Castle. How am I supposed to do my job, with the three of you monitoring every move I make?" The more she spoke, the more taciturn her manner became.

"Kate, wait, just a minute. I thought this was settled this morning. We all want to make sure you stay healthy, that's all." He reached for her arm to pull her into him. She jerked away and slid to the other side of the elevator. With her movement, Rick's mood turned dark. He reached over and stopped the elevator. They were going to have this out before they entered the loft. He roughly took her arm and dragged her to him so they were glaring - eye to eye.

"Now, talk, get it all out now!" Ricks eyes were flashing with each word. Kate licked her lips as she realized she was over-reacting. She turned from him, dropped her gaze.

"Rick..." She searched his face, tears in her eyes, embarrassed by her outburst.

"I am so sorry, I just...I never…"

"You almost died. Not once, but twice...I watched your heart stop...I couldn't get your blood off of my hands for days...then this last time...you were so sick...I went crazy...I can't...I won't live without you...We've talked about this, Kate. So, if we're a little more vigilant with you...get used to it." He was angry, shaking, running his hands down his face and wanting to cry. When he turned his eyes to her, she could see his pain, his distress.

"I'm sorry Rick." Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, Kate shook with regret and shame. Why did she cause him so much pain? The only thing he was guilty of was loving her and wanting to keep her safe.

Rick lifted her chin, his mouth open searching hers for comfort. He held her and they were both, silent, needing composure. This was the worst fight they'd had since before Nick's death.

After a few moments, Rick restarted the elevator. "Let's go home, Alexis is waiting."

"I love you, and I don't deserve you." Kate whispered.

"Don't beat yourself up, let me do it." Rick interjected, attempting to soothe her wounded pride.

They entered the loft, arm in arm, and Kate's head on Rick's shoulder, him nuzzling her hair.

"I thought you got lost, dinner is ready and I'm starving." Alexis greeted the couple.

"Smells great, Alexis." Kate slipped off her heels and went to give the youngest Castle a hug and kiss.

"So, how was your first day?"

"Interesting." They both chimed in together, bringing both to laughter and leaving Alexis perplexed.

Dinner was a relaxed affair, with everyone laughing about their day. After they cleaned up, Kate plopped onto the couch, complaining her feet hurt. Rick sat next to her and brought her feet to his lap.

"Not used to your heels, huh? Let me rub your feet." Chuckling, he knew her mood would quickly mellow with a foot massage.

Kate quickly fell asleep, their disagreement having tired them both. Rick shook his head, coming to the realization that she may be a little crankier at the precinct then he first thought. He would have to alert the boys, they didn't need to have their heads bitten off. Kate would be chagrined over her display of anger, but he would remain firm in his resolve to protect her, no matter how much she complained.

He picked her up and they retired to bed. She barely stirred as he gently undressed her and put her to bed, then climbed in to bed himself. Rick pulled her to him and drifted to sleep.

"Hey..." She whispered as she kissed his jaw. "I lost perspective; you were right and I'm sorry, let me make it up to you." She dove her mouth down to his chest, nipping him, ready to climb onto his chest when he flipped her over ending on top.

"Apology accepted, now it's time to play, you're so mine". He began tickling her with his stubbled chin, which drove her crazy. Her neck, the inside of her thigh, her feet each were areas that brought her intense pleasure and he loved to torment her. Their fun continued and finally settled into a passionate round of making love.

Rick swiftly brought Kate to heightened passion, taking her over the edge and into exhaustion. He loved to concentrate their efforts on meeting her needs, and it excited him when she could be fulfilled, satiated and left smiling. What a marvellously sensuous creature she was. Every day just got better, he never grew tired or bored with their physical relationship. He sighed as he remembered how initially their love making, while fabulous was restrained, but as they grew comfortable and more safe with each other, they were able to openly express sexual desires and take their acts to different, exciting places.

They laid draped over each other, her hair fanned out on his chest, neither wanting to move, yet the need to get ready for work was there.

"I'll start the coffee, you start the shower, I'll be right in." Rick shifted her body, kissed her back and left for the kitchen.

"If I act out again, you have permission to smack me, Okay?"

"Wow. Intriguing offer. I will be on guard, and ready to do my duty." The mischievous grin on his face was disarming.

"Perhaps, I was..."

"No, No, Detective. I will be ready to fulfil my duties as needed." Rick stated cheekily as he leaned in and kissed her forehead.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

A short time later they walked into the bull pen laughing about nothing in particular, as Ryan ran over. "We just got a body,"

"Let's go." Beckett turned, all business but secretly thrilled at the prospect of having a new murder to solve.

Crossing the police barrier, they put on gloves. Their vision focused on the kneeling Doctor Parish who was examining the body.

"What do we have Lanie?" Kate started as she glanced over her shoulder, noting the absence of her shadow. Where had he disappeared to?

"Bullet wound to his chest, probably would have been fatal, but for good measure, there is another round to the forehead."

"Hey Esposito, Ryan, does he look familiar?" Kate had the sense she knew him and stood to get a full body shot as well as look around.

Just as she was about to say something, her arm was nudged, and she looked down to find a fresh latte being handed to her. She glanced up to the person delivering the cup.

"Thanks, Rick. I needed this." Her eyes never left his and a beautiful full smile slowly appeared on her lips, her eyes glistening with emotion.

Esposito slapped Castle's back. "Enough love eyeballs Bro, it's just a cup of coffee..."

Rick turned to correct the other Detective, but Kate poked him in the ribs.

"Let's focus. This guy looks familiar, where have I seen him...wait, the scarves on the ground. Lanie, isn't this the guy from the corner of 6th and 45th we buys scarves and stuff from...What's his name? Freddie?"

Lanie stood, looking the victim over, "Yeah, you may be right."

"Ryan, run his prints with the vendor cart cooperative."

"We'll go back to the bullpen and try to put the pieces together." Kate brushed by Rick, elbowing him as she whispered, "I love you, thanks." Her head was focused on the case, but her heart only cared about Castle. He had helped her regain her physical and emotional health, her essence, without him she may not have even been alive at this point in her life.

Back at the precinct, they stood in front of the white murder board and began to add pages, pictures and words. This is how they best thought out the crime, looking at the victim, the motive, the players, everything directed towards finding the murderer and bringing justice to the victim. Kate loved this part of the investigation, mapping out the puzzle, moving each piece around til they fit just right. Rick sat next to her on edge of the desk, relishing in observing her. After four years, he could anticipate her thoughts while adding words, thoughts and theories that brought the process clarity.

"This is the magic, isn't it?" For a few moments she seemed lost, then stated. "Why was a seemingly simple street vendor killed in such a professional manner? Freddie what were you into? Ryan what else do we know about Freddie...Who did he hang with? Espo, look into his financials. Castle..Rick...come on, you must be out of practice...are you thinking zombies? Ghosts?" As she sent him one of her patented Beckett sceptical sneers, she anticipated a wild conspiracy theory.

"Really, you expect a work of genius, when you don't even have time of death, let alone his last name...Maybe it's you who are out of practice...ever think of that?"

God, this was fun...her face was glowing, her eyes sparkling. This is what they had prepared for, hoped they could recreate and continue to love.

It was getting late, after 9:00 pm, and Rick had brought in food, though Kate ate little. He would not embarrass her here, but they would talk about her return to the no food and too much caffeine approach when they got home. By 10:30, Castle put his foot down. "Okay, quitting time. We're getting nowhere but tired. Everyone home. Now."

Kate opened her mouth to protest, but was stopped when Rick shot her a don't mess with me glare.

"He's right, we've come to a standstill. We'll pick this up again in the morning."

Kate still had not been reissued her cruiser, so again Rick drove them home. He glanced over in her direction, thinking he might as well bring up the food issue. It might be easier to discuss alone and she couldn't walk away.

"So, I'm not happy with your little regard for food and rest today. This case is barely 48 hours old and you're already pushing. I am paying attention and I'm not letting you do this again."

As he spoke she turned to look out the window, attempting to ignore his comments. He was infuriating, she would be fine. Her lips were pursed in frustration.

"I know your tricks, look at me." As he pulled her neck over to him so he could see her face, he caught her chin, "You promised to behave and I-will-hold-you-to-that. Got it."

"Yeah." His words stung with an acid tone. He was right, but that didn't mean she couldn't still be irritated with him.

"Now be a good girl and kiss me." He returned, chuckling at his victory.

She leaned into him, started to kiss him and thought better of it, nipping his lower lip. Under her breath, she muttered, "you drive me nuts!"

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

In the bullpen the following day, they had more of Freddie's background to peruse. He was single, hung out mostly with other street vendors, though lately he had been spending most of his time with two other specific vendors, Sam C and one Mr Knight. A look into his financials turned up some interesting findings. Freddie had recently purchased a flat in SoHo, full price and paid in cash. Suddenly after years of living hand to mouth, he was bringing in some serious cash. Kate told the guys to bring in his two friends. Something, probably illegal was going on and she wanted to know what it was.

Castle was already weaving a story that involved the sale of some kind of exclusive new drug, obviously an expensive item and maybe he got greedy and held back. Kate felt there was something more to it, but needed to talk to his friends first.

Ryan returned first with Sam C. He found him at his usual corner, agitated because business had been jumping. He was busy arguing with Ryan when Kate joined him in the interrogation room.

"Good morning, Mr C. I'm Detective Kate Beckett and I have some questions for you. Tell me about your friend Freddie."

"Nothing to tell, we hang out some."

"Really I hear you're tight, you do lots of stuff together, is that right?"

"Nah, I barely speak to him."

'Well, you don't have to worry about bothering him anymore, cause he's dead.". With those final words, Kate threw the crime scene photos on the table. She watched as he became deathly pale and gasped.

"So, now do you remember him? Did you two have a falling out? Shall we search your place for a gun? Talk to me while I'm in a good mood."

As she was staring him down, the door opened and Esposito poked his head in, motioning her to come out.

"I'll be back, and you better be ready to talk."

"What?" she growled at Espo after leaving the room. "He knows something, I feel it." As she looked at the interrogation room door, her face in a thoughtful frown, she sensed Espo had something important.

"We just found Mr. Knight dead, same MO. Lanie's already there."

"Hell, let's go. Castle, you coming?" Beckett's pace picked up as she headed towards the elevator. Rick quickly joined her and they headed out.

Kate was perplexed, she had been convinced Freddie's murder was drug related, but now she wasn't sure. Had she missed something, had her layoff dulled her deductive reasoning? She was quiet in the car, and Rick sensed she was struggling with something.

"Kate, you haven't missed anything, something else is happening, you'll get it."

"Rick, God, what if I no longer have what it takes." she stared out the windshield, she looked lost. Rick stopped the car. He reached over, undid her seatbelt, pulling her onto his side, his hands in her hair.

"When I first met you, I thought you were extraordinary. You still are, you will figure this out and I will be with you, as always."

Castle leaned into Kate, his mouth moving softly over her neck, up her chin, stopping on her mouth, his tongue, begging for admittance, moaning as their tongues joined. Their kiss languished for a few moments, expressing their love seemed to rid her of her fears.

"Thanks, let's get to the crime scene."