At present count, this story is tied for third place as having the most reviews of any of my stories, and it's in SECOND place for alerts! So thank you, THANK YOU to all of you who had a hand in this.

Kate paused, her hand on the doorknob of the sparring room. Grunts of exertion accompanied the sounds of flesh hitting padding, or vice versa. Occasionally speech filtered through, the taunting tones far more comprehensible than the words.

"I can't believe they're still at it!" she said to Lanie. She peeked through the window in the door, in time to catch sight of Castle being tossed, but rolling neatly back to his feet. He squared off with Esposito once more. This time he side-stepped a blow and grabbed the younger man's wrist, pulling him off balance. Rick planted his leg to trip Esposito, sending him to the mat. Both men's shirts were soaked with sweat.

"They're both too stubborn to quit," Lanie replied with a shake of her head. "If we don't stop them, they'll just collapse from exhaustion. You did the right thing calling me. Are you ready?"

Kate nodded, unfastening her swimsuit cover-up. She quietly opened the door to the room. The two women struck a pose in the doorway and cleared their throats in unison.

Rick had been helping Espo to stand, but dropped him when he looked up. "What the hell, man?" Rick pointed wordlessly in response, his throat working, no doubt, to swallow copious amounts of drool. Javier turned in the direction Castle's finger had indicated. There stood Lanie and Kate in string bikinis.

"We were just going to take a soak in the hot tub. Anytime you two are finished with…whatever you're trying to prove here, you're welcome to join us." Kate raised an eyebrow at Rick. She carefully avoided making eye contact with Espo, who was clearly trying to do the same. There was a slight weirdness factor to being so scantily clad in the presence of a co-worker.

The men looked at one another, coming to silent mutual agreement. Espo got to his feet and began removing the protective padding they both wore. As they approached the doorway, Lanie's nose wrinkled. "Shower," she commanded. She closed the edges of her robe, because she could see Castle fighting the temptation to ogle, then stepped aside with a smile as the 'boys' angled to be the first out of the room and into the showers. She followed Kate's lead through the ladies' changing area into the pool room, where the tub resided, then draped her wrap over a chair and stepped in with a delighted sigh.

Kate settled across from her and rested her head on the ledge, letting the warmth permeate her muscles. Momentarily (it seemed), a kiss brushed her temple. Castle settled beside her and slid his arm behind her shoulders. The two couples chatted casually, until the topic turned to the men's sparring activities.

"He's doing alright," Esposito replied when asked about Castle's progress. Given the ex-military man's nature, this was lavish praise in Rick's view. He looked at Beckett, all eager puppy dog.

"Welllll," she drawled. "If you can promise to try not to get yourself maimed again…" she continued, putting levity in her tone for the benefit of their friends. "Then yes, you can come back."

Rick gave her a quick kiss, using his proximity to murmur "I'll thank you more thoroughly later…"

"So, Castle, what's new in Nikki's world?" Lanie asked.

"It's funny you ask. Just last week I was telling Kate about a plot twist I've been toying with."

"I'll show you a twist," Kate muttered darkly. She took advantage of the cover of the bubbles to finger his crotch threateningly. He shifted away from her.

"I've really been thinking of giving Nikki a long lost sister," he continued. "I think I'd name her Victoria."

"Ooh, you could call her Vikki for short and make her the evil twin," Esposito interjected.

"See, he thinks it's a good idea, too," Castle pointed out.

"Fabulous. Tell me something, Castle, would you like to find yourself back on the bench?" she asked with mock sweetness.

"Would you like to be known as a person who abuses her power like that? Because that actually sounds like a Vikki sort of move to me."

And just like *that* he had her in 'checkmate'. She really didn't have any legitimate objections to offer. "Fine, do it if you want," she replied, only marginally successful in keeping the petulance out of her tone. "However, if I catch more crap, you are going to have to make it up to me."

Castle nodded solemnly.

Kate whimpered softly and stretched her arms over her head, grabbing for the headboard to anchor herself. Rick had been demonstrating his gratitude regarding his reinstatement for, oh…over a half hour now. Hands, lips, tongue, tracing and tasting every curve, worshiping her body. She trembled under the onslaught of sensation and gave herself over, as though taking a seat on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride that she would be powerless to stop. She reveled in the way he commanded the attention of her senses, every nerve ending eagerly awaiting its chance to send a message to the pleasure center of her brain. When he narrowed his focus to a very specific group of nerve endings at the apex of her thighs, she began to squirm, and her whimpers turned to appreciative moans. These sounds spurred him on, made him more enthusiastic in his sensual attack. In moments she realized she was climbing the final 'hill', and then she was in free fall, screaming herself hoarse.

Thoughts?