The case is proceeding...a great look at them working together...the banter in full force...Kate with some insight...Wow...Hang on it may get more interesting...Enjoy...let me know what you think...

Thanks to my three trusty friends...their input helps...Context...clarity...not easy..but so useful...

XXOO

Melody

Kate slowly became conscious as light entered the room, warming her. She looked around, and realizing she was alone jumped out of bed to find Castle. As she started towards the door, she noted the clock said 9:00 am and heard voices in the living room. She didn't stop to dress, too anxious to discover who was making the noise.

She reached the opening to the great room and spied Rick and the two Detectives chatting while munching on pastries and drinking coffee. Kate groaned, ignoring the men while she moved towards the coffee pot. The three men noted Kate's dishevelled appearance, but were wise enough to keep quiet.

Kate greedily drank some coffee, delicious, strong and black; it was just what she needed. It had been a restless night for her, Rick had slept well, but her concern for him had her up often to check on him. She peered at him over her mug, noticing he appeared better this morning, some color back in his cheeks and his eyes twinkling with mischief, much to her relief.

Rick worked his way over to where Kate was perched, drawing her into his arms. At first she hesitated, not wanting to hurt him, but then happily fell into his grasp as he stood strong. Her head rested on his chest, relief coursing through her as Rick kissed the top of her head.

"Morning beautiful, did I keep you up?" He knew she had slept with one eye open, watching him.

"No, I slept like a rock!" she smirked at him, her voice filled with sarcasm.

"Liar!" His forehead bumped hers.

Ryan and Esposito started to move away, fearing they were intruding on a private moment.

"Stop! Get everything set up while I clean up."

The two Detectives and Castle grinned at each other, figuring she would get tied up with the case and they would not have to answer to her about yesterday.

"Oh, and by the way, when I come back, have your stories straight, we WILL talk about yesterday's fiasco." Kate turned, fixed a look at all three with one eyebrow raised before leaving for the bathroom.

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

Getting into the shower, Kate began chuckling. She was going to love raking them over coals about yesterday. After thinking about it, she understood they had accidentally walked into something that was already set in motion before their arrival. The dead shooter may be a clue to solving this frustrating mess of a case.

Exiting the shower, she strangely did not feel as refreshed as she thought she would. Between lack of sleep and trauma from yesterday she remained tired, knowing only time would bring her back, and that would have to wait until the case was solved.

Kate dressed casually in yoga pants, loose shirt and bare feet. This was her home and she wanted to be comfortable and relaxed, after all she was with friends as well as colleagues.

She returned to the living room, seeing the murder boards lined up and the boxes of files close by. Rick was sitting on the couch, directing traffic. He was smart enough to know his limitations and not overdo it himself.

Kate started to smile at the three, and then remembered they needed to hash out the events of yesterday and clear the air.

"So, you two," she motioned to Ryan and Esposito, "sit there. Castle, listen up." She walked away with her hands on her hips, trying to decide how to begin. Oh, to hell with it!

"You three did exactly what I told you not to do, was I not clear?" Her eyes were riveted on the three.

"No...you" Ryan started, but Kate motioned for him to stop.

"What was so damn important, that it couldn't wait until I was up?" Kate's words accurately expressed her annoyance with the three.

"Beckett, we saw a pattern, a possible lead...it's a murder case...we..."

"Nothing is so important that you couldn't have..."

"Kate, you had driven yourself into the ground, you were exhausted. You needed to rest. We saw an opportunity and took it." Rick was irritated now; she was so frustrating and stubborn. He started to get up to move towards her, but his injury stopped him and he let out a painful moan.

His moan broke her anger and her face fell as she went to him. "Rick?" Kate moved to his side, looking into his eyes, searching to make sure he hadn't done any damage.

"I'm so sorry, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" She was totally immersed in checking on Rick's physical state, her hand stroking his cheek. She bit her lip in self-disgust. He was right, she had pushed too hard.

"You're right, I didn't take care of myself but you three were irresponsible, you let the shooter sneak up on you, because you were so busy playing around." Kate backed away, shaking her head.

"Okay, we were too cavalier, but we may have a lead. Are you finished beating us up?" The look on Castles face was that of a wounded puppy and she smiled.

"Yes, but if you ever, ever do anything like that again, I'll..." Kate was scowling, trying to find the right words.

"Spank me?" A grin stretched across his face, teasing Kate.

She responded by rolling her eyes and muttering, "What a child." Esposito and Ryan laughed at this exchange, which caused Kate's head to snap in their direction.

"Okay, enough. We all made some mistakes, but DO NOT EVER think about going against my directions again, got it?" Her words were firm and harsh. All three of the men nodded, relieved that Kate hadn't been tougher on them.

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

The boards were all set up; the information from the latest murder was pinned up, complete with demographic data of Jake Taylor, the murdered street vendor and the identity of his shooter, Gideon Owen.

Jake's background mirrored that of the other street vendors, new wealth being a common thread.

The person who the team was most interested in was Gideon Owen. He was a Hasidic Jew, employed by one of the largest diamond merchants in the district, Golden and Sons. This business had been operating in the district for 30 years, a very powerful member of the district.

Everyone had become comfortable in Castle's living room. Kate had propped Rick up on the couch so his back was against the well-padded corner, his legs extended on the coffee table. He was surrounded by drinks, his iPad and his iPhone, everything he could possibly need was within his reach.

Ryan and Esposito had made themselves comfortable in leather lounge chairs. Kate was curled up on the opposite end of the couch, where she could easily get up, make notes on the board, walk around to think and return to her spot.

The team was convinced that members of the street vendors and the diamond cartel were working together in the smuggling and somehow, the dead vendors had become greedy, skimmed some stones or money off the top and paid the price of their indiscretion with their lives.

Castle pointed out how the two executive boards were structured identically. Five members total on each board, both boards included an attorney and an accountant. That could not be a coincidence. Each board's attorney was a member of the same firm.

"Ryan, how long has this board structure been in place? Find out, for both factions. Esposito there are too many people of interest that have Gold as part of their last name, see if there is a connection. We're getting close." Kate finished her thoughts as she was walking around, flicking a pen on to her other palm, her brows furrowed in thought. She stopped moving and called to Rick.

"How are you doing? Can I get you something? You need something for pain?" Rick was quiet, which bothered her, he was never this quiet.

"Actually I was thinking about food. What do you guys want? Subs? Chinese?" Kate rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Focus, Castle, do you need something for pain?" she demanded.

"Nah, I'm good. See even injured I'm a great partner. Looking out for the best interest of the team while adding valuable insights into the case." His smirk was maddening and Kate flipped her pen in his direction.

"Detective, really, were you trying to hurt me?" as he raised the pen and smugly looked in his partners direction.

Kate threw up her hands, shook her head and walked away. Rick was his usual glib self, obviously the wound was better and in reality she was thrilled, but was determined not to let any of them know.

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Lunch had been consumed hours ago. They were beginning to piece together how intertwined the cooperative boards were and began to list out the names of people they would bring into the station to interrogate, including the leaders of both boards and their respective attorneys. The owner of Gideon and sons diamond store would also be brought in for questioning.

They began laying out the strategy of who to bring in first, what information they wanted from them as well as pertinent questions.

Rick was still propped up on the couch, but had brought his legs onto the couch. His knees were bent and Kate was leaning against them. Her energy level was ebbing while the boys were finishing the strategy, and she leaned her head on the couch and slowly drifted to sleep. Ryan started to say something but was halted by Rick's, low "shhhhh".

The three boys continued their conversation for nearly two hours, changing topics readily. The game plan for the next day was set. Ryan and Esposito gathered the evidence, took down the murder boards while Kate remained asleep. She had slid down to where she was fully curled up on the couch and Ryan had placed a blanket over her.

Rick wanted to let her get as much sleep as possible, let her batteries recharge. The boys finished taking the evidence boxes to the car and helped clean up the living room and Rick got up from his position. He was a little stiff, but really didn't have much pain. Kate had finally convinced him to take a pain pill, stressing that even macho guys had pain. He had to admit it really helped and he was feeling good.

Kate moved slightly on the couch, but never completely stirred or woke. Castle stood trying to decide how to get Kate to bed without waking her up. Esposito sensed his dilemma.

"Yo, Castle, whatcha thinking?"

"I'm trying to figure out how to get Kate to bed without waking her or hurting my side. If I break open the stitches she will kill me, no question."

"Not a problem, I'll carry her for you."

"Thanks, Javier. I'll take you up on that."

Esposito went to Kate, turned her until he could easily lift her, one hand under her legs, the other around her torso with her arm draped over his shoulder and her head on his chest. This movement did not cause Kate to wake, which was just further evidence of her exhaustion. He carried her into their bedroom and laid her in bed.

"She's thin again, isn't she?" Espo commented on how light she was.

Rick merely nodded as he gazed on his beautiful, sleeping Kate.

Rick walked the boys to the door, and they all decided they would meet at the precinct at 09:00 and begin the interrogations.

Rick returned to the bedroom, got Kate out of her clothes and into her sleep t-shirt with minimal effort. He got himself ready for bed and crawled in, next to her. He pulled her close to him, kissed her cheek and whispered. "You're the best. I love you, Detective."

As he closed his eyes, she intertwined her arms and legs with his, and murmured a slurred "thanks."