As usual, no beta. So sorry for the mistakes I missed. Don't hesitate to point them out. Thanks.


When Castle and Beckett get back to the precinct, they have the certitude it was indeed a professional hit. But certitude isn't proof. The killer was very careful. The neighbors didn't hear a thing and none saw anything out of the ordinary. Except for the teenager from across the corridor finding the open door to the apartment.

"Maybe Ryan and Esposito will find something on the camera surveillance footage", he offers a grim-looking Beckett. She stops typing for a second to give him a pointed look. "Yeah, not likely, I know." He slumps in his chair.

"Beckett !", the shout startles them both. Gates is calling from the threshold of her office. The detective gets up, her partner following behind her. "Not you Castle !", Gates barks. He's about to protest when he catches Beckett quick glance. Her expression is clear : 'Don't pick up a fight'. Castle sits back in his chair, pouting, his left fist on his cheek to support his head. When he hears the door of the captain's office close, he gets up again and casually walk to the break room. On his slow journey, he tries to understand what's going on. Both women are huddled over the desk. A conference call, he thinks. They're listening but the speaker isn't loud enough to carry to the bullpen. If he walked any slower, he would not be moving. Fearing to be busted by Gates, he decides to check on Ryan's and Esposito's progress with the video.

Inside the office, Beckett is starting to wish Castle were here. He always knows how to win an argument. Wilder is updating them after his meeting with the judge. The trial is maintained at the same date, with another juror. US Marshals will be protecting the members of the jury.

"I need discretion on this. Not a word to a reporter. And, Detective Beckett, I need you off this case."

"What ? Sir, why ?"

"Because you're too close to it. I won't..."

"Exactly. I know this case, I'm the best asset this case can have ! Sir..."

"I was saying... I won't let my star witness put herself in danger. Do I have to remind you : you were shot by one the of defendant ?" Wilder's tone is firm but soft. He likes Beckett and understands her drive. But he needs a clear win on this. He can't have another investigation tainted because she is Johanna Beckett's daughter. The first one will be difficult enough to explain. He's a political player too, and if he has to pull the "shooting" card to get what he wants, he does.

Beckett grits her teeth as flashes of that day wash over her. She feels Gates' eyes on her and tries to keep it together. The new captain has said very little until now. Sensing her detective is regrouping, she takes the phone and shut the speaker off.

"Of course, sir. We'll not do anything that could hurt the case", she says, diplomatically. She listens for a while, speaking only to agree. Eventually, she ends the call. Meanwhile, Beckett has sat down.

"The DA thinks it's necessary you have a protection detail too. It'll be NYPD. You're off the case", Beckett opens her mouth to protest but Gates stops her with a hand in the air. "But Esposito and Ryan stay on it. I'm putting Karpowski to help. Your writer can help too. As for you, you'd better stay close to... tidy your desk or something. Just stay in the buidling." Gates sits down at her desk, putting her glasses on : the meeting is over. Beckett bites her smile down. As she's about to walk out, Gates speaks, without looking up. "Don't make me regret this, Detective ! And remember what the DA asked for : discretion."

"Yes sir !"


In the video room, the three men fight to not fall asleep in front of all the monitors.

"There's nothing there", Ryan sighs with a tired voice. The task is so dull that no one pause when Beckett enters the room.

"What did you find ?"

"Nothing", Esposito says. "What did Gates want ?"

"It was the D.A. actually. I'm off the case."

"What !", Castle's outburst startles a nearly asleep Ryan in front of the TV.

"Calm down. Gates letting me work it... unofficially."

"Unofficially ?" Esposito is skeptic.

"I don't get it ether, but I'm not about to dwell on it..." Beckett shrugs.

"Hey, what's that ?" Ryan suddenly asks, pointing at a figure on the video.

The three others lean over his shoulder to take a better look.

"That's the girl who discovered the body, coming in the building. And that's..."

"Probably our killer. Look ! The guy is walking and then, seeing the girl he adjusts his cap and turns away", Ryan says as he rewinds the tape.

"Did he touched something ?" Castle asks.

Ryan rewinds one more time. "No", the three detectives say simultaneously, a little disappointed.

"Then we need to speak to that girl...", Castle adds, matter of factly.

"She fainted and knocked her head after giving the alarm. She went to the hospital", Ryan explains.

"Wait a minute...I think I saw something earlier..." Esposito goes back to his monitor and rewinds a tape. It's a view of the main street but a corner an alley is visible. He stops when the same man is seen throwing his cap in the alley's trash can. "He got rid of the cap because of the girl."

"And he must not have seen this camera !" Ryan approves, high fiving his partner.

"Ryan, you go to talk to the girl at the hospital. Bring Karpowski with you. Esposito, you go find that cap with Castle. I will look at the rest of the footage just in case."

"Is that how you are off the case, bossing us around ?" Esposito teases as he walks out.

"I'm just so use to it, Esposito", she jokes back.


Later that night, the team gather around the murder board in the conference room. The teenager who discovered the body was still too shaken to be helpful when Ryan and Karpowski talked to her. As for Castle and Esposito, they spent the entire afternoon in a garbage container but they got the cap.

"The lab should have some results tomorrow", Esposito explains.

Beckett puts her hand to the back of her skull, gripping her hair. "Good. The rest of the footage was a waste of time, though."

She's about to send everyone home when Gates enters the room. "Beckett, your protection detail is waiting downstairs for you. You'd better go home...", she adds towards the other detectives and Castle.

They all look at Beckett.

"Protection detail ?", Castle asks. He's concerned but a little upset she didn't tell him.

"DA's order. Just a precaution."

"Well, you'd better go then", Ryan says.

"Yeah, we'll have better luck tomorrow. We'd all better go home", she says, getting up.

Esposito, Ryan and Karpowski don't move.

"Well...", Karpowski says. "I don't know about you guys but I think I'll stay around. See if I can match guns for hire in the system with our guy on camera." Both men nods. "I'll get the coffee", she says before exiting the room.

Beckett smiles and starts to sit down but Ryan stops her. "Hu hu, Beckett. Gates says you go home."

"Ryan..." Beckett's tone is a warning, but the young detective doesn't care. "Don't make us call her back", Esposito's smile is way to sweet. Beckett narrows her eyes at him.

Castle has been observing the entire exchange. He doesn't know if he should stay or go with her. And if he goes with her, to her place or his ? His loft is more secure, but this time, her apartment hasn't blown up. Does she want to keep up the appearances about their relationship ?

"Fine", Beckett folds."Good night guys. But seriously, don't forget to go home." Castle is still hesitating when she calls him from the bullpen. "Castle, you coming ?" He looks at her, then looks at Ryan and Esposito. They all exchange glances. The two male detectives feel left out at the silent communication between their colleagues.

"You're right", Beckett finally admits. She walks back inside, closing the door behind her. She puts her hands on top the back of a chair. She looks down and speaks, sounding a little embarrassed. "Hum... Guys... Castle and I, we're.. hum... together now."

"Oh God !", Ryan exhales dramatically, falling back in his chair. "You scared me. I thought you were going to make some big announcement or something."

She looks up at him and shakes her head as she sees his big grin. He's feeding the birds with his partner.

"About damn time !" Esposito says.

Beckett rolls her eyes and leaves, glad they don't make a big deal out of it. But she's pretty sure the teasing will come as soon as tomorrow. Castle follows her. His smile fades when he catches his friends signaling him with their hands. Ryan's two fingers goes from his eyes to Castle, while Esposito makes pretty clear is going to hurt him if he hurts Beckett. Castle rushes out. Once in the elevator Beckett turns to him.

"You okay, you're a little pale."

"I'm just worried."

Beckett mistakes his concern for his well being for concern for hers. She takes his hand. "It's gonna be fine."