First of all, I have to thank the Guest reviewer who said: Won't lie...sorta kinda shipping Castle/Gemma lol. {I'm sincerely hoping readers can feel their connection, even though she honestly doesn't stand a chance against Kate}

…..

The door opened and Tyson entered looking exactly like the smug bastard that he is, - dark beady eyes that were cold, assessing and with an air of menacing confidence that surrounded his every move.

"I have to thank you, Castle," he gloated, "For without you, I never would've met this little gem." He yanked hard on her ponytail, straining her neck backwards, before his mouth slammed onto hers.

It made Rick's stomach churn as he watched him plunder Gemma's lips. Tyson lifted his head and with evil intent said, "Welcome to the party, Castle. Would you care to join us?"

What the hell is he insinuating?

"For now, I think I'll just sit back and enjoy the view… Lovely place you've got here, Tyson. Sturdy architecture. The cinder block walls add such a 'homey' feel to the place. I'm betting you were able to rent this at a steal-of-a-deal… Especially in this economy."

"Always the wise-ass I see."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Don't."

Their eyes locked onto one other, assessing each other, and Castle got the distinct feeling that Tyson was testing him, wondering if he'd break his gaze first.

He didn't.

"I honestly thought it was going to be difficult kidnapping you," Tyson chortled smugly, "Seeing that you're now joined to Detective Beckett's hip and can't seem to make any of your own decisions."

He got the response he was looking for as Rick's eyes narrowed and a hostile vibe rolled off him in waves.

"She sure does have you wrapped around her little finger. How does it feel being a woman's lap dog?"

Rick flashed him an egotistical smile. "I'm never happier than when I'm being Beckett's bitch… It's certainly better than being a cold-hearted bastard like you."

"Mmm, I beg to differ." He looked at him quizzically. "Kate must be a fiery hell-cat in bed for you to be so willing to give up your man-card."

Rick sneered, "I refuse to discuss Beckett with you."

Tyson's laugh was edgy, dark. "We'll just see about that."

"J.T," Gemma softly interrupted. "Remember what I told you – "

He threw her a dangerous look that immediately silenced her.

There was something just a bit too familiar with the way Tyson interacted with Gemma: his looks a bit too suggestive, his touches a bit too possessive, and his spirits sank under the weight of the inevitable conclusion.

"Sex hasn't really been my thing, but you already know that, don't you? – I've always preferred," Tyson's hand swiped across Gemma's throat, "Strangulation to get off, but for her," his hollow eyes never left Rick's face as he searched for an emotional response. "I'm going to make an exception." His tongue snaked out and licked Gemma from jawline to ear. "She's very sweet."

Rick was surprised that Gemma didn't flinch at his disgusting action. She sat still as stone with a straight back, her shoulders stiff.

God, she's stronger that I originally thought.

Rick watched Tyson closely, wondering about his next move.

He spoke into Gemma's ear. "Tell our Guest how I found him."

Her eyes, full of fire, spewed hatred as she glared at him. "No. I've already told you that I barely know him, - a chance meeting at a sponsored Celebrity Poker event where we happened to sit next to one another.

"We both know that it wasn't by chance, Gemma. You're going to pay for that lie." His fingers gripped her neck, holding it in place while he nipped roughly at her ear.

Rick instinctively wanted to lunge at him with his left arm to stop him from abusing her, but it was obvious from Tyson's body language that he was baiting him, - hoping, waiting for him to react.

Gemma jerked her head away and he whispered darkly, "I happen to hate liars." He spewed the word 'liars' as if it was revulsing to the taste. "Do you like liars, Castle?"

Surprisingly, Tyson sounded genuinely interested in his answer, but Rick paused, choosing his words carefully before answering. "In my profession, it's commonplace to come across people who don't tell the truth."

"In your profession?" a hearty chuckle shook J.T.s frame. "Do you mean doing research for a murder / mystery novel or playing cop with Detective Beckett?"

"Both."

"Tell me … How was beautiful, wounded Detective Beckett when you last saw her?"

Rick's eyes narrowed and his deep voice reverberated throughout the room as he said, "Eagerly searching for you."

J.T. smirked before continuing, "I have a lot more in common with her than I originally thought, and I have lovely Gemma here to thank for enlightening me." He squeezed her delicate shoulders. "From what she's told me, Beckett's 'mommy issues' rival even mine."

She turned apologetic, anguished eyes towards Rick, which seemed to beg for forgiveness, before giving her full attention back to Tyson.

"Oh come on, J.T., we both know that Katherine's mother loved her with her whole heart, whereas yours," she flashed him a coy smile, "Barely tolerated you."

"Gemma," he said in a deadly tone to silence her.

She happily continued, "Katherine at least harnessed her grief and channeled it into something beneficial. She took the horror of her mother's death and turned it into the catalyst for doing good to humanity, - whereas you," a look of contempt crossed her face, "Went on a murderous rampage to try and find solace in your mother's suicide."

Shit! From J.T.s pursed lips and eyes, Rick knew that Gemma had gone too far so he squeezed her left hand to hopefully relay that she needed to stop speaking. Immediately. He did not want her to try and antagonize him further.

"Any guesses, Rick, as to how his mother committed suicide?" She laughed cynically. "It's sooo cliché that he strangles women with the same type of rope that she decided to hang herself with."

Tyson's hand squeezed around her ponytail and he pulled her neck back to where he could look straight into her eyes. "I won't tolerate sass," he said menacingly. "Who knew that this little gem could be such a spit-fire?"

I've only just begun, she thought as anger boiled in her veins.

"It's time for your punishment." A fake smile gleaned across J.T.s face. "But I am feeling a bit generous tonight due to having a special Guest with us."

He turned Rick's way, his smile growing broader. "This is a rare offer. I'll hand the reigns over to you, Castle, and if you'd like," his smile turned positively wicked, "Let you divvy out her punishment."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"No," he chuckled, "But there will definitely be fucking involved."

His stomach clenched in agony and bile rose to the back of his throat at Tyson's implication.

"It's your choice… I won't touch her if you will."

"You're one sick puppy."

"That's never been in question."

Surprisingly, Gemma's soft voice filled the air, "No. I don't want him touching me, J.T."

"Shut that tempting mouth of yours as you don't have a say in the matter."

She looked so lost, so forlorn as her eyes focused on the cement floor. It tore at Rick's heart strings knowing that a woman with such a beautiful soul could be abused like this.

"As I said earlier, she's very sweet," he lifted her hair to his nose and inhaled her scent. "I can personally guarantee that she's not a slut. For her age, - she's still fresh, - almost pure."

Rick snuck a glance at Gemma, - the heartache on her face and the moisture in her eyes clearly indicated that Tyson spoke the truth.

"She's not very experienced… I'm positive that she's not as experienced as Kate."

Rick clenched his teeth tightly and his lips began to quiver while he tried to hold back the raw rage coursing through his body.

"Are you close enough with Beckett that you've discussed her number?"

"That's solely between Beckett and I. It's none of your damn business."

"Ahh, I see," and J.T. chuckled delightedly. "That means she hasn't told you about her past sexual encounters… Interesting… With her beauty and brains, plus those experimental, crazy college years, I'd guess she's easily in the high teens, whereas our little Gemma, I'd bet she could count on one hand the guys she's been with."

Rick continued to scrutinize him, wondering if he could possibly reach him with his uncuffed hand and show him the same courtesy that he'd shown his other female victims.

"Last chance, Rick. You can save her from me." He swooped low and captured Gemma's lips once more. "Sex actually means something to this one, - but it may not, - by the time I'm through with her."

God damn this maniac for putting her through this hell.

"No, I won't do it," he said with more conviction than he actually felt. His heart twisted painfully in his chest and warred with his head… There was no way he'd play into Tyson's hands; no way he'd ever hurt Gemma, - even if it meant preventing this psycho from molesting her.

He couldn't ever take a woman by force... Ever.

"It's decided then… I'm not totally heartless. I won't screw her on the cold, cement floor."

As he reached for Gemma's hand to pull her off the bed, Tyson said her name in a sickening, sensual manner and Rick literally had to fight to keep down the food he'd just eaten.

..

A/N: I'm warning you in advance that Gemma will be raped in the next chapter. It's imperative to the storyline. Thank U so much for continuing to read and support this story.