12th Precinct

Kate Beckett arrived at the precinct earlier than normal. She had a hard time sleeping last night. She didn't like to admit it but lately her dreams were filled with Castle and her doing ungodly things to each other. Last night however was more like a nightmare as she was replaced with Detective Strong. To make matters worse she hadn't heard from him since he left yesterday morning. He called her every day, even when he decided to stay home and write. He would take a break to call her not only see how her day was going but also if she wanted him to bring her coffee or even lunch for her and the boys.

God she missed him. He had spoiled her without her even knowing it. She needed to talk to him… needed to hear his voice. Glancing at her watch and seeing that it was only six-thirty, she knew she would have to wait. She needed a distraction and headed off for the gym. She had a date with the punching bag, laughing as she pictured Nikki Strong's face on it. She would call him after her workout.

Detective Nicole Strong's Home

Rick Castle also had a hard time sleeping. His mind focusing on last night's events. Dinner with Detective Strong had started out fine. They were discussing the case, building theory just like him and Beckett. It was afterwards that was bothering him. She started flirting with him. At first it was nice receiving the attention of a beautiful woman. To say that she shared some of the same characteristics as Kate would be an understatement. She was just as driven, determined, intelligent and hot. He was tempted to start flirting back, after all he is single. But then he realized that though she shared these characteristics… she was not Kate. She might be dating someone else but his heart belongs to her. He missed her. He could never get tired of those gorgeous green eyes and that dazzling smile of hers. Just thinking of her caused a smile on his face. He should have told Nikki that he changed his mind about staying at her place in favor of the hotel. But when he went to open his mouth, nothing came out. As a result he spent most of his night tossing and turning in her spare bedroom.

Looking at the clock he noticed it was almost eight. Sliding out of the sheets he padded his way over to the bathroom. He was hoping the video footage would bring them a lead. He still felt guilt over not figuring out quick enough that Jerry Tyson was 3XK. Four women's lives were lost because of it and he could not stand the thought of a fifth.

12th Precinct

Beckett has just finished her workout and is returning to her desk when Ryan brings her a cup of coffee. She gives him a funny look as she responds "Thanks."

Looking back at her he answers "What? Castle told us to make sure you had your caffeine while he was gone."

"Speaking of your boy, have you heard from him yet?" Esposito adds.

She shakes her head "He must be busy with the case."

Ryan nods remember their ordeal with Jerry Tyson and heads back to his desk. Esposito on the other hand continues "Seriously, Castle didn't call? I'm shocked." Then he decides to have a little fun with her "Although if I was working with a Detective as hot as Nikki Strong… I might not think about calling either."

She gives him one of her famous glares as she grabs her coffee and heads to the break room.

"Javi man I can't believe you said that to her."

"Bro, she knows I'm only messing with her. I told you I don't think she has anything to worry about. Castle cares too much about her to let anything happen with Nicole."

Making her way into the break room, after she closes the door for some privacy and pulls out her phone she finds him on her contact and dials. It rings and rings and is just about to go to voice mail when somebody picks up. Unfortunately for her it is not him but the familiar voice of Detective Strong.

"Hello" she answers.

"Hi, Detective Strong it's Kate Beckett, is Castle available?"

"Oh, Hi Beckett actually he is in the shower right now."

"What? What do you mean he is in the shower?"

"Exactly what it sounds like, he's showering and then we'll be heading to the station."

Kate is shocked; images from her nightmare come rushing back into her head. She tries to respond but nothing will come out.

After a few moments of silence Nikki asks "Beckett, are you still there?"

"Uh, yes I'm still here?

"Did you want to leave a message?"

"No…no I'll just try him again later."

She ends the call and feels devastated. All she can think is Castle got tired of waiting for her and has moved on. She has missed her chance. After last night she made the decision to end things with Josh, and to hopefully begin things with him once he returned from Albany. Why did she wait so long? Why didn't she act when she had the chance? She sits down trying to gather herself, fighting back the tears forming in her eyes. Once she feels better she heads out, walks past the boys and straight to the stairs. She needs to talk to Lanie.

Ryan and Espo look at one another wandering what that was all about.

Detective Strong's Home

Castle has just come out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go when he finds Nikki with his phone in her hand. She looks up at him and he gives her a questioning look.

"Sorry Rick, I just happened to be walking past and heard your phone going off… so I picked it up and answered it."

"Okay, so who was it?"

"Detective Beckett, um she asked if you were available and I told her you were in the shower."

He thinks about what she just said and runs his hand over his face. He knew he should have just stayed at the hotel. It hits her right at that moment… what it must have sounded like to Beckett.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry Rick I wasn't thinking."

"Sighing he replies it's… it's okay, but I'm going to go ahead and check into a hotel this evening."

She gives a nod handing him his phone, deciding it is best if she gives him some privacy. Once she leaves he quickly pulls up Kate number and calls her back. He is not surprised when it goes straight to voice mail. He can tell she ignored his call. Needing to make this right he leaves a message. "Beckett it's Castle… I know what it must have sounded like when Detective Strong answered my phone. I just wanted to let you know that nothing happened. I did something foolish but it is not what you're thinking. Last night after we finished for the day, she offered me the spare bedroom in her house saying it might be easier if something came up with regard to Tyson. I should have turned her down and just stayed in the hotel… but I wasn't thinking. The only thing that I could think about was catching him… I still feel guilty over the four girls he killed. When you get this please call me."

Medical Examiner's Office

Kate comes barreling through the door and judging by the look on her face… Lanie can tell it is not good.

"Hey girl you don't look so good, what's wrong?"

"Um I… I called Castle this morning."

"Oh, did something happen to him…"

"No, it's nothing like that. I didn't hear from him yesterday after he left. I figured he would call me last night but he didn't"

"Okay" she replies encouraging her friend to continue.

"So I decided to call him. I was thinking about the advice you gave me yesterday. About deciding what I want."

"And what did you decide?"

"I want Castle"

"Lanie squeals at that "Finally girl". But her friend doesn't look happy. "If you want Castle why do you look like hell?"

"That's what I came down here to tell you… I… I think I waited too long"

"Why… What did he say?"

Sighing she answers "I don't know I didn't get to talk to him. She… She answered his phone."

"Kate, who answered his phone?"

"Detective Nicole Strong… when I asked if he was available… she said he was in the shower."

Just as Lanie is about to give her a reply, her phone rings… checking the caller id and seeing his face pop up on her screen she hits the ignore button.

"Who was that?"

"Who do you think it was?"

"Kate, listening to what you've told me I know you're thinking the worst. I would too, but I've seen Castle around you. He cares for you and I don't think he would do anything to hurt you."

"Weren't you the one yesterday who said he is single and any woman would be lucky to have him?"

"I was saying that for you to open up your eyes and realize what you had right there in front of you. Just promise me you won't go passing judgments on the guy until you have talked to him."

She is just about to respond when her phone rings again. Thinking it is him calling again, she is ready to hit ignore again when she sees it Esposito.

"Beckett"

"Hey we got a body"

"Alright give me the address"

She is just about to head out the door when Lanie reminds her "Remember what I said"

"Okay Lanie I will."

Albany Police Station

Castle along with Detectives' Strong, Riley and Jacobs have been reviewing video footage throughout the morning. They have gone as far back as the last two weeks and have found nothing so far. During a coffee break Nikki once again apologized to him. He again told her not to worry about it that everything was fine between them. He only wished he could say the same for him and Beckett. She had not returned his phone call. He could only hope that she at least listened to his message before deleting it. Settling back in front of the monitor Nikki asked him what exactly they were looking for.

"We are looking for either footage of Ms. Patterson being watched or followed by either Tyson or someone else."

"Someone else?" she asked.

"Yes, Tyson has been known in the past to use a partner."

"Does that mean we are dealing with two killers?"

"No, I'm positive he only uses them to gather information. The killing itself is performed by him."

Three hours later and he finally sees what he is looking for. He watches as Stacey exits her apartment complex heading for her vehicle. A minute later male between the ages of 20 and 25 is seen following her. He continues to follow her out to her vehicle. As she leaves it appears he is pulling out a phone and talking to someone.

"Detective Strong, do you have a Tech in the department who can try and zoom in on him and clean up the image?"

"Actually we do, but I'm afraid he most likely won't be able to get it back to us until tomorrow."

"Okay, I guess I'll call it a night then."

"Rick, do you want me to drop you off at your hotel?"

"No, I think a walk might do me good. I'll see you tomorrow."

12th Precinct

Beckett has been running down leads all day. Their victim Mr. Jason Frederick was a known criminal that had numerous enemies; anyone of them with motive to want him dead. Besides a quick lunch, she and the boys have not had a minute to themselves. She did however listen to Castle's message in the car. She really feels bad about jumping to conclusions. She wants to call him back. It's just that she has not had the time. Tonight, she says to herself, tonight after they quit for the night… she'll call him.

It is almost eight pm when she decides they can go no further with their investigation. Telling the boys to go ahead home, she closes up her files and is soon following them out. All she wants to do is get there, relax in a nice hot bath and then call Rick. Wouldn't you know that the universe won't cooperate? Stepping off the elevator she sees him standing by her door, smiling at her. She really isn't in the mood to deal with Josh.

"Hey Josh, what are you doing here?"

"Hey Babe, I got out early and figured I come over to be with you."

Sighing, she knows what has to be done… what she should have done months ago. "Good, because we need to talk."

He tries to wrap his arms around her as she is opening her door. She twists away and hears him ask "What?"

God could he be anymore clueless she thinks to herself. Usually when a conversation begins with we need to talk the outcome is not good. Not wanting to do this in the hallway she steps aside and lets him enter closing the door behind her.

He takes his jacket off and turns once again trying to wrap her in his arms.

She lifts her hand stopping him. "Josh the reason I said we need to talk is… is because I'm breaking up with you."

"What? Why? I thought everything was going well. I just gave up Haiti for you."

"I never asked you to do that and how could you think things were going well?"

"Kate we have been together for almost 8 months now and I've never heard you complain."

"Josh, we would have to be together to complain. I never see you and when I do… you never ask how my day was it's always about you. You are never there when I need you."

"That's not the real reason is it?"

"What? Do I need another?"

"It's because of him. Isn't it?"

"Josh, I can't lie… I've come to realize that yes Castle is part of the reason. He is always there when I need him. He puts my needs in front of his own."

"Kate, you can't be serious the guy is nothing more than a playboy millionaire who will use you and throw you off to the side."

Getting angry she replies "You know nothing about him. I've been through hell and back with him over the past three years and I can tell you he is more of a man than you'll ever be."

"You know what fine… just don't come crawling back to me."

"I won't now give me back my key and get the hell out."

He quickly removes her key from his key chain, flings it towards her as he storms off and slams the door. She is surprised by how little regret she is feeling. She should have been honest with herself and her feeling long ago. Josh was a nice distraction but she knows it was always Castle. She was just scared to admit it after the summer when he left with Gina.

Maybe she should just skip the bath and call him before it gets too late. She heads over to her kitchen pulls out a wine glass filling it as she continues over to her couch. It's now or never she tells herself. She pulls out her phone and dials his number.

It only rings once before she hears his voice "Hey".

A/N: Next chapter will pick up with their conversation. Also Jerry Tyson will be making an appearance. Thanks for your reviews and support.