Beckett is sitting at her desk trying to figure a way to solve this case. She knows it's crazy, she knows she shouldn't have given them hope, the truth is the likelihood of find whoever was responsible for Alexis' attack is not high. She glimpses at Castle's chair, it's the fourth day she has been at the precinct without him and though she hates to admit, she really misses him. She's lost in her thought when she's brought back to Earth by a voice calling her – "Beckett, Beckett!"
- "What?" - she replies startled at Esposito and Ryan.
- "Where were you, we have been calling you forever?" - Esposito says – "Daydreaming?" - he teases her.
- "Sorry Espo" – she simple says with a light smile – "What is it?"
- "We have a fresh one" – Ryan tells the detective, waving a small yellow post it at her – "care to join us?"
- "Actually, do you mind handling this one without me?" - she asks the boys.
- "Sure" – Esposito concedes – "but, is everything okay?" - he asks knowing that it's not normal for Beckett to want to sit out on a murder investigation.
- "Yes" – she lies – "I just have some things I have to review" – she adds telling them a half true.
The boys exchange look and they both approach the detective's desk, lowering the tone Esposito asks her – "Alexis case? Lainie told me about it" – he adds seeing Beckett's confused look. She nods – "Does Gates know you're working on this?" - Beckett shake her head and though she doesn't speak Ryan and Esposito know she doesn't want them to tell Gates either – "Okay, just let us know if you need anything" – they say before heading out.
It's almost 11am, she has been in the precinct for almost two hours and she still hasn't found a lead. She was hoping to find similar cases that she could link in order to get more information on this guy but so far, nothing had popped up. Frustrated she lets her head drop between her hands pressing her temples with her index fingers and closes her eyes trying to zone out for a moment.
- "You look really cute when you're thinking" – a voice says suddenly.
She opens her eyes and as if she needs confirmation that it was his voice she spots the cup of coffee on her desk.
- "Castle" – she calls unconsciously smiling – "What are you doing here?" – she asks surprised, not that she doesn't enjoy his presence but she was expecting him to stay home with Alexis.
- "Someone has to bring you coffee" – he starts, to which she reply with a meaningful thank you, the little details play a crucial role in their relationship and they both know it – "Plus, Alexis begged me to leave her alone for the day" – he confesses and Beckett can see that he's a bit hurt even if he tries to disguise it.
- "Just give her some time, she'll come around" – Beckett reassures him touching his harm with her right hand.
Castle smiles and they remain quiet for a while, Beckett pretending she's busy with paperwork and Castle just watching her the way she's now just so used to.
- "Why did you leave?" – he eventually asks.
- "What?" – she says not because she didn't understand but because she needs time to come up with an answer.
- "This morning, I woke up and you were gone" – he clarifies, though he didn't have to. Beckett knew she wouldn't be able to avoid it forever, she knew Castle would eventually mention the night before.
- "Oh…" - she hesitates – "I'm sorry, I had work to do here" – she decides trying to dismiss it.
Castle nods, she's avoiding talking about night before like he knew she would, they were so close, even just sitting together on his couch, there was such an intimacy between them. He wasn't expecting Beckett to bring it up, he knows her too well, but he's curious to know if she remembers him carrying her upstairs and cuddling in his arms.