Disclaimer: see chapter 1.

A/N: Guys I'm back! I'm really sorry to let you wait so long but this summer was crazy and I didn't find time to write.

Please don't shoot me but I have to say this. The time gap in "Rise" really sucked! I was disappointed they didn't let us see how Kate handled the whole situation, in particular the "Josh thing" so I decided I should fix that.

But not in this chapter, right now it's just B&C and the guys! Oh, with a guest star... since I like to give a face to my characters, each one of them which is new to the show, in my mind has a face of a famous actor. Kind of I hired him/her for my story! Well, the hints are huge but I'm curious if you can guess who this chapter's guest star is... at the end of the story the solution! :)

And for the umpteenth time a huge thanks to my great and patient beta SammySpie, if you like my story is also because she works hard to correct my mistakes!

to eyrianone: ahhh, you made my day when you caught the reference! :) stay tuned for more!

Chapter 7: Revenge

The bullpen was quiet when Castle arrived the next morning. He immediately spotted Beckett in front of the murder board, her right elbow was resting on her left arm which was bent at her middle supporting its weight. She was deep in thought and didn't acknowledge his presence.

He slowed his steps, savoring the moment. He loved watching her, even if she thought it was creepy. He loved how she would bite the skin of her thumb when she was searching for a connection or how her eyelids would close a little bit harder than usual when she was trying to figure something out.

"Good morning, Castle." greeted a nearby cop, pulling him out of his reverie so suddenly he almost dropped the coffees he was carrying.

"Oh, morning Gallagher." he replied smiling politely. When he turned again, Beckett was fixing him with an intense gaze. An deep, unreadable gaze.

"Hey." he greeted sheepishly.

She smiled and took the cup he was offering. "Hey."

"Any progress with the case?" he asked, mimicking her position in front of the murder board.

"Not really." she answered, "What about you?"

"Hm?" he asked absentmindedly studying the board.

"Have you settled everything with Paula?"

Ok, that came out the wrong way, she tought, hoping her voice didn't sound as pathetic as it sounded to her.

She was relieved when Castle didn't seem to notice it. He simply nodded between sips of coffee. "Didn't you get my message last night?"

Castle saw something shift in Beckett's gaze, something that he just couldn't place."I did." she replied "But I wasn't referring to the fundraiser."

"You mean the promo tour?"

She nodded.

"Well, the producers have extended their invitation to you too." he explained nonchalantly. Beckett was about to say something to that, but he was faster, effectively cutting her off. "I said you are a cop and you're not interested in promoting a movie."

"Right." she hurried to confirm, rearranging a lock of hair that wasn't really covering her eyes. Natalie Rhodes once said that it was a trick she used to distract her interlocutor and buy time to think about what to say. Damn, she had to give the woman credit, because that was exactly what she was doing in that moment.

To some extent she realized she was slightly pissed off he didn't even bothered to ask her before he declined the offer. Most of all, she was disappointed he didn't even try to talk her into going with him.

"I'm just the muse after all."

Her features turned into a well-practiced stone mask, but her voice couldn't quite mask her irritation and her comment came out a little bit harsher than intended.

Castle's head whipped towards her, all pretence of indifference now definitely gone. "What's that suppo-"

"Yo guys, I just ran a check on the vic's financials and..." only when Esposito raised his eyes from the paper in his hands he assessed the situation. "...nothing come out..." he trailed off, coming to an halt.

He looked to both Beckett and Castle who were obviously engaged in a silent quarrel. If looks could kill there would be two dead bodies right then and there, by the way they were fixed on each other.

"Is this a bad moment?" he asked cautiously.

They didn't even divert their eyes from drilling holes into each others face, as they answered simultaneously.

Beckett's "No." was fast and high pitched while Castle's "Yes." was low and menacing.

Blatantly ignoring the threat held in Castle's voice Esposito resumed talking.

"As I was saying," he started again extending the paper to Beckett, who took it finally ending the staring contest with Castle "I just ran a check on the vic's financials and nothing come out, except a disturbing obsessions with shoes."

"What kind of shoes?" Ryan joined them with another bunch of sheets.

"Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, Prada. " Beckett read. "Expensive stuff. Why?"

"Because according to her business partner things at work weren't so good."

"What kind of buisiness are we talking about?" Castle asked, now focused on the case.

"She was an interior designer." Ryan explained "Six months ago she had a dispute with a client, Anna Lisiel, who claimed the vic was in a relashionship with her husband. Apparently Miss Lisiel belongs to a powerful family and she swore to ruin her."

Beckett examined the file Ryan handed her. "It looks like she made good on her promise because since then her business is in free fall."

Castle snickered. "It's better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman." he quoted, gaining a scowl from Beckett.

"Letterman?" Ryan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Dude, your ignorance is litteraly biblical." Esposito scolded while Castle and Beckett chuckled at his pun.

She approached her chair and reached for her leather jacket, putting it in on with a smooth and swift move.

"Where are you going?" Ryan asked.

"To interview the only suspect we have at the moment." She paused in her steps to the elevator, looking expectantly at Castle, who still hadn't moved from his position in front of the murderboard. "Are you coming, Castle?"

"Doctor Lisiel is with a patient at the moment. She will speak with you as soon as she's available." the secretary promised as Beckett showed her badge and asked to speak with her employer. "Please take a seat in the waiting room at the end of the hallway, it won't take more then a couple of minutes."

Beckett thanked the woman and turned to find Castle busy examining a framed picture. It was one of those inkblot pictures used in psychological tests, the ones in which the therapist can outline the patient's personality depending on what he sees in it.

"She'll talk with us as soon as she's free." she informed Castle, reaching his side.

"Hu, hu." he mumbled.

His gaze was still fixed on the inkblot, so she turned to it too. She wondered what Castle could see in it, because as much as she tried to give it a shape, it remained... well, it remained just a blot.

"What do you see in it?"

He seemed to ponder her question. "Two bunnies facing each other." he replied at last.

"Two bunnies?" Beckett arched an eyebrow skeptically. "Really?"

She eyed the bolt skeptically once again, then she headed for the room the secretary showed them too. It was small, but painted and furnished with warm colors, surely a trick to make the patients feel at ease. On the far wall stood out the same framed poster Castle had behind his desk in his office.

"Seems like you have something in common." she snickered hearing Castle's footsteps coming closer.

"Actually," Castle indicated to the photograph, smiling fondly at the memory "Alexis picked it for me."

He sat on the leather couch and Beckett in the armchair in front of him. She said nothing, just kept on looking at him waiting for his story to continue.

"When Gina and I divorced, she became overprotective towards me. Movies, chinese, baseball games... she never left my side for weeks." he chuckled and Beckett smiled softly. Alexis was really one sweet girl.

"How old was she?"

"About ten." he smiled. "One night, we were attending a display of contemporary art in Chelsea. She saw it and was fascinated instantly."

"It's kind of mesmerizing." Beckett agreed.

"It is, but that's not why she lik-"

The door beside the picture sprang open and a beautiful woman entered the room.

"Miss Lisiel, I presume." Castle guessed.

The woman's piercing hazel eyes focused immediately on him. "Please, call me Anna, detective."

"Actually, *I* am the police." Beckett pointed out annoyed, showing her badge once again. "I'm detective Beckett, this is Richard Castle."

The two women shook hands and Castle couldn't help but notice that for the briefest moment they sized each other up. Then Anna smiled and the moment was gone.

Anna offered her hand to Castle, raising an eyebrow "Richard Castle the novelist?"

"That's me." he replied flattered on being recognized. "I assist the police in the investigations to gather material for my books."

The brunette smiled warmly. "I see now why your books are so good. Please come in." she said, as she led the way into her office.

Miss Lisiel was in her late thirties, her dark hair wascut short but that didn't endangered in any way her femininity. She wore a simple sleeveless gray dress which hugged her slim body perfectly. Not sophisticated, yet elegant.

"From the temper I expected a redhead." Castle whispered to Beckett, but he instantly sobered as he met her threatening gaze. Anna, oblivious to their exchange, motioned for them to take a seat on the sofa while she sat in the armchair in front of them, crossing her legs with grace.

"Miss Lisiel," Beckett started "we would like to ask you some questions about Karen Swenson."

"I heard about the murder in the news." she nodded. "I was expecting your visit."

"How did you two meet?" asked Castle.

"We hired her to redecorate our summer estate in the Hamptons."

"We?"

"My husband and I." Castle saw Anna falter slightly. "Ex-husband." he heard her rectify in a tight voice.

"Carter Mason." Beckett supplied, and Anna nodded again. "This occured approximately a year ago, am I correct?"

"Yes."

"What happened next?"

Anna's eyes glazed and focused somewhere over the detective's shoulder. "It was the week-end before the 4th of July, Carter was supposed to be in Los Angeles for business, so I went to the house to survey the work." she paused "I found them toasting cosily on the sofa."

"I'm sorry." Beckett said honestly.

"I filed for divorce within a week and vowed to make her pay for ruining my marriage." Anna looked straight at Beckett. "That's why you are here, I suppose."

Beckett didn't reply, she just opened the folder she brought with her her and handed Anna a picture.

"That's how Karen was supposed to pay?" she asked pointing to the photo of Karen's dead body as they had found it in Central Park.

Anna's eyes widened slightly as she looked at the picture. "Do I need a lawyer, Detective?" she asked warily, returning the picture.

"You tell me."

"'Dirty girl is an appropriate way to describe an homewrecker." pointed out Castle.

"Maybe in one of your books, Mr. Castle, that could have been the proper ending. However, in real life, disgrace is worse than death to a lot of people." She stood up, lowering her dress on her knees in one swift move. "Now, if you have no more questions, a patient is waiting for me."

Beckett stood from the sofa, her eyes unwavering as they raised to match Anna's level. "Where were you Wednesday night between 8 and 11 pm, Miss Lisiel?"

"I was here, working late. The night doorman surely saw me enter. His name is Fletcher Morris."

"We'll check." Beckett assured. "Thanks for your time."

"You think it's her?" Castle asked as they entered the bullpen.

Beckett snorted. "She's a wolf in sheep's clothing."

"That doesn't mean she's a murderer."

Shrugging off her brown leather jacket, Beckett turned to him warily. "Who's side are you, Castle?"

He shrugged as he plopped into his chair. "I'll settle for the truth."

"Well the truth is, she's still hurting from what happened." She waved to Ryan, who was sitting at his desk, speaking on the phone. "Don't underestimate a wounded woman." she smirked. "Ever."

"I never underestimated women. Period. Especially the ones who pack heat."

Kate's lips twitched at the corners of her mouth. "Or hundcuffs." she murmured, her voice low enough that the boys couldn't hear her.

She knew exactly when said whisper reached Castle's ears, cause his eyes widened. "Katherine Beckett, you're such a tease." he scolded.

She smiled in delight at his outraged expression. "And you love it."

As the words left her mouth, Beckett immediately wished she could swallow them back down. She sensed the change in the mood even before his eyes turned warm.

"I do." His voice was soft and almost sad.

Beckett chewed on her cheek and looked down, not really knowing what to say. "Castle, I-"

"Hey boss, what is it?" Ryan asked, oblivious to interrupt the awkward moment.

Oh come on! What is with the boys today? thought Castle frustrated as he saw Beckett reaching in her pants pocket for her notepad, open it and rip a page from it, handing the piece of paper to Ryan. "I need for you to check this name and see if Anna Lisiel alibies out." she instructed him.

Ryan took the note and started back to his desk. "Oh, and Ryan, see if you can find where the money on Karen's account come from."

"I'm working on it right now." Esposito said from his desk. When Ryan was back at his computer Esposito silently rolled his chair close to his pal's and slapped him on the head, just hard enough for him to flinch. He then rolled back to his desk, pleased no one noticed, leaving a dumbfounded Ryan to rub his abused head.

Beckett didn't pay attention because she was otherwise distracted by Castle fidgeting in his chair. "What is it, Castle?" she asked annoyed arching a perfect eyebrow.

He smile apologetically. "Nature calls."

"Really."

"Yeah, mother made me drink one of her disgusting draining beverages last night. I guess they work." he said sheepishly. "Excuse me."

Her lips twitched upwards when she was sure Castle couldn't see her anymore. Lost in thought she entirely missed the silent glances between Ryan and Esposito. She didn't even noticed when Esposito got up from his chair and headed the same direction Castle had just a few moments before.

A/N: and this chapter's guest star is... Morena Baccarin as Anna Lisiel! :)

As always thanks for every single alert or review this chapter will get, hope you'll have fun reading it!

See you next chapter!