Private Eyes – Chapter 9

"The key to saving my daughter."

Wow, that was so not what she'd been expecting. Kate had been almost absolutely positive he was going to say something about the fate of the country—or the world—was at stake, but trying to save his daughter. No. That hadn't even been in the wheelhouse. It came completely out of left field, and she honestly didn't know how to respond. Once again, Rick Castle had left her speechless. She stared at him, mouth open, unable to find any words. He looked at her expectantly, glancing towards the door. She blinked, and released a breath, pulling her eyes away from him, and fumbled with her keys before opening the door and stepping across the threshold.

Castle followed, closing the door behind her. He turned the deadbolt, and slid the two security chains into place. His eyes slowly lifted to lock with hers, and a disquieting silence descended between them. Kate didn't know what to do or say. Part of her even wondered if he had even told her the truth. He hadn't exactly been honest with her before. She had no reason to trust him. But the anguished look on his face appeared to be genuine. If he was lying to her, and this was all some sort of elaborate act to gain her trust, then she'd have to give him a round of applause. He was damn convincing.

She stared at him, trying to get a read on the man. Kate still wasn't entirely sure who he was, even if Rick Castle was his real name—which she doubted—but from what little she'd seen, she believed him to be some sort of covert operative, highly skilled and effective at his job. And if she had to guess what agency he worked for, she'd have to say the CIA. But he didn't seem like the sort to betray his country. So whatever had happened to his daughter—if that really was the truth—it had been more than enough to make him turn rogue. It was rather worrisome. Kate knew and understood the dark and destructive path investigating something so deeply personal could lead. She'd been down the rabbit hole and barely survived. Despite only knowing Castle for less than a day, Kate didn't want to see that happen to him.

"Where's your roller?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Huh?" she knitted her eyebrows together, confused, her mind lost in its wanderings, still so muddled with other thoughts. Those agents on the street had been intent on subduing him and taking him into custody. But they obviously hadn't expected his level of resistance.

"Your suitcase from the D.C. trip," he expanded. "Where is it?"

Kate's eyes snapped up to his. It took her just a moment to remember why they were here, in her apartment, and what it was that he wanted. "In my bedroom," Kate supplied, indicating the direction with a wave of her hand and stepping back to get out of his way.

He nodded, and stalked across the living room. Without comment or pause, he pushed the door open and stepped inside her bedroom. Kate remained standing there, frozen to spot, before she realized that Castle had just entered her bedroom without her. God knows what else he might look at while he was unsupervised. Shaking her head, Kate quickened her pace, nudging the door further open as she entered her bedroom. She was just in time to see Castle slip his hand into the unzipped back pocket of her roller case and retrieve what looked liked a USB flash drive.

"So is that it?" she asked. "The key that will save your daughter?"

Castle glanced up at her. "In a manner of speaking, yes," he said, holding the flash drive up for her to see. It was thin and slate gray in color. "At least, that's the plan." He quickly pocketed it and stood up, staring at her with a look of uncertainty. She swallowed, a little uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her, his eyes warm and soothing. But at the same time, she felt a tingle dance down her spine and pool in her center, igniting thoughts and urges that shouldn't be there at present. It had been a long time since a man's gaze had stirred such feelings within her. And, she realized with surprise, she'd never felt this way when Josh had looked at her. Why was Castle so different?

"So…?" she hedged, ducking her head down and shifting anxiously, feeling uncharacteristically unsure of herself. Bringing her eyes back up, she gazed at him questioningly. "This is it?"

He pursed his lips and she watched as his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. His blue eyes broadcasted his own apprehension. His tongue flicked out to wet his lips, and she held her breath, on edge as she waited for his answer, heart thumping profoundly beneath her ribs. She didn't know why, but a large part of her wanted him to say 'no'. Indecision stifled her. She'd never been faced with such a dilemma… with such a man. He was exciting, and being with him had brought a thrill into her life that had been severely lacking. He was a mystery, and she wanted to solve it. It helped too, that he wasn't that bad on the eyes.

"I wish it wasn't, but yeah… I guess it is," Castle said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Kate… I… I wish things could be different. That we'd met at another time, another place… but I can only wish. It doesn't change reality. I'm sorry."

He closed the distance between them and brought up a hand to cup her cheek. Her breath hitched up as he moved closer, nudging their noses together. Kate closed her eyes and breathed in slowly, losing herself in his presence. She wondered if his heart was beating as wildly as hers.

"I… I wish for so many things," he mumbled, his breath warm against her lips, which quivered in anticipation. And then his mouth was covering hers, wondrously kissing her.

Kate responded in kind, bringing her hands up and running her fingers through his luxurious brown locks, kissing him back with a fervor that surprised even her. She smiled into his mouth as she heard a groan rumble up his throat. It was glorious, lighting up all the dark places within her, making her feel alive and… loved? Eventually, however, like all good things, it had to end.

Castle pulled back, releasing a sigh of regret at breaking their connection, and rested his forehead against hers, the pad of his thumb tenderly caressing her jawline. Kate's eyes fluttered open, and she returned his shimmering gaze, sharing air with him as they worked at calming their breaths.

"Extraordinary... so extraordinary," he crooned with a soft smile, caressing her face as he pressed one last chaste kiss to her lips before stepping back. "Goodbye, Kate. I… I wish you all the luck in the world."

He made a move to step around her, but Kate grabbed his arm and yanked him back, shaking her head. "No. You don't get to leave like that… not after that kiss."

"It was pretty good, wasn't it?" he asked smugly, wiggling his eyebrows.

Despite herself, Kate's lips quirked up in agreement. "Yes, it was."

"Dare I say… better than the first one?"

She nodded, ducking her head down as she bit her lower lip, tasting him. A blush spread across her cheeks. "I don't understand. I still don't know anything about you, yet… I feel drawn to you. I… I can't explain it."

"Then don't," he asserted, grabbing her hand in his and holding it to his chest. She swallowed, looking him in the eyes, trying not to dwell on their joined hands and how electrifyingly amazing it felt. "Just let yourself live in the moment." His eyes dropped down to her lips, and then he kissed her one more time, slow and languid, unhurried, yet at the same time instilled with a passion that simmered beneath the surface. She bit down on his lower lip as he pulled back, pleading with him to stay, but he wouldn't heed her request.

"I'm sorry I got you mixed up in all this," he said, running his fingers through her hair and down the back of her head.

"What exactly is this?" Kate asked, raising her eyebrows curiously.

He stepped back and sighed, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's complicated, Kate."

"You promised you'd explain it," she reminded him, giving him a pointed look. The amorous mood was quickly fading, much to her chagrin, but she was owed some answers after everything that had happened.

"Yes, I did, and… I will, but…," he raked his fingers through his hair. "We're pressed for time here, Kate. They're not going to just sit by and do nothing."

"Who are they?" she demanded, frustrated at the lack of transparency, not blinking as she stared him down. There was a reason she was one of the city's best interrogators. She was relying on those skills now, trying to pry the truth from her reluctant companion. "Come on, Castle, you've got to give me something here. You don't expect me to just blindly follow you on faith alone… do you?" She paused, gauging his reaction. "Oh my God… you do!"

"Look, Kate, I know you don't trust me, but you have to believe what I'm telling you is the truth," he said, voice low and firm, leaving no room for any arguments. He was right. Despite the intense attraction between them, she didn't fully trust him. Not yet. At least, not until he explained everything. "Those bad people I told you about; They threatened to kill my daughter if she didn't do what they wanted. She's only 17, too young… too young to face the horrors that they'd bring to bare if she refused to cooperate. And those same people, they're hunting me… and now you."

"Me?"

"It was no coincidence those agents were waiting outside," he explained. "The moment they connected you with me, you became a priority. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd issued an APB for you through some domestic law enforcement agency as cover. But with those schmucks down there and the security cameras… I think we're good." He nodded. "Yeah. We've got proof you're my hostage. We've cleared you're name. With the locals at least, but it's a start. Something to build on."

Kate's mouth dropped. "What… why would they do that? These… bad people, as you call them? Is it because of that flash drive? Is that what they want?"

"Partly, yes."

"Then why don't you give it to them?" she nearly shouted.

"Because that won't save Alexis!"

"Alexis?"

Castle nodded. "My daughter." He turned his back to her, shoulders slumping. "I never meant for any of this to happen. It just did," he said. "If I could take it all back, I would?"

"Even the kiss?" Kate asked, astonished she was even asking it.

"No," Castle graced her with a fleeting smile, eyes twinkling. "Never. Not that."

She shook her head, attempting to clear her mind of enamored thoughts. "Look, Castle… this is all so… weird. But… I'll probably regret this—hell, I already do—but I'll help you," Kate spoke with a firm conviction that was almost foreign to her. Though, it hadn't really been that difficult of a decision to make. She'd made up her mind the moment he'd kissed her. All or nothing. "I'll help you save your daughter."

Castle stared at her, openly showing shock and awe. His mouth bobbed open and shut as he tried to form a response. But before he could reply the shrill ringing of her cell phone interrupted them.

XXX

With a combination of a skeptical and grim expression, Turner watched as, on the screen, rogue CIA operative Richard Castle threatened to shoot NYPD Detective Katherine Beckett in the head. She found the whole scenario rather amusing. It was so not like him. But it was convincing. Damn convincing. She'd grant him that. And the woman on screen did look afraid for her life, terrified eyes wide. It also helped that the agents on the ground, though aware of Castle's abilities, were still inexperience. For most, this had probably been their first field operation.

She frowned in dismay as she witnessed Castle's easy takedown of the five agents who had been sent to watch the Beckett residence. Her lips curled in derision. The fools had exceeded their orders, potentially blowing the entire operation. "If this is the future of the American covert intelligence community, then God help us," she grumbled, nodding to the tech seated in front of them, indicating for him to stop the playback. She crossed her arms and turned to Danberg.

"She's his hostage," he concluded.

Turner opened her mouth to object, but stopped. She glanced back at the screen, staring at the image of the tall brunette with a gun held to her head. She had her doubts, but from the evidence on hand, she really couldn't argue with Danberg's assertion.

"That's what it looks like, yes," she concurred with a nod.

Danberg leaned forward, reaching for the phone on the desk. "I'll call off the APB on Beckett," he said.

"No," Turner shook her head, stepping over to press the disconnect button on the landline phone as Danberg glanced at her with a confused expression. "Just… not yet. She may be an unwilling pawn in his games, but she still may prove to be valuable."

After some thought, Danberg lowered the phone back to it's cradle, nodding his head in agreement. "You're right. She's still a person of interest and may have information on what Castle is up to."

"Precisely," Turner inclined her head, spinning on her heels to glare back at the screen, now showing the real-time image of the inexperienced agents stumbling back up to their feet. She had a sinking feeling that Castle wasn't just returning the wayward detective home. Something else was going on. And she wanted to know. Her superiors would want to know as well. Making a decision, she strolled over to the communication hub. "Tell Farrell to pull his men back."

"Ma'am?" the communications tech glanced up at her with a confused look.

Turner looked at the screen again, before refocusing on the young woman. "You heard me."

"Yes, ma'am," she nodded, raising a hand to flick on the microphone on her headset, relaying the instructions.

Danberg cast her a questioning look, puzzled by her decision.

"They exceeded their orders," she explained. "I don't trust them not to screw this up."

He nodded in understanding. "Should we send the NYPD in?" he asked. "Castle might be more hesitant about resisting when confronted with NYPD blue."

"You think he respects them more than he does us?" Turner asked with a quirked eyebrow. Danberg shrugged. She shifted her stance and glanced away for a second. "Perhaps. But for now, I think we just need to keep eyes on him. Detective Beckett may not be his accomplice, but she's involved in this."

"But how?" Danberg inquired.

Turner shrugged, unable to answer. There had been something bugging her about Beckett's involvement. She narrowed her eyes, staring hard at the image of the frightened woman on the screen. Danberg had instructed some of the analysts to review the footage. As she watched the black and white image, a glimmer of recognition hit her. She vaguely recalled seeing Beckett on security footage before they'd followed Castle to New York.

Turning, she marched across the command center, Danberg on her heels. "Pull up the airport security tape again," she ordered as they approached the video analysts. The tech nodded, turning back to his computer terminal, and soon the monitor was filled with the footage of Castle in the check-in queue at Reagan National. Turner leaned over the tech's shoulder and watched the video. She spotted something.

"There… hold!"

Danberg squinted as he looked down at the monitor. "What are you seeing?"

On screen, Castle had just bumped into the person in front of him. He'd bent down to pick up the roller case that had fallen during the 'accidental' collision. Turner hissed out in self-reproach. How had she missed this before? The woman Castle had 'bumped' into was a tall brunette with a face she was now very familiar with. It had started there. And judging by the placement of his hand on the roller, Turner guessed Castle must have slipped something into Beckett's suitcase.

It all made sense now. The reason behind Beckett's sudden appearance in the case was now obvious. Turner had been overestimating the woman's involvement. Castle had only needed her to smuggle something to New York. And now he was going to retrieve it.

She pushed Danberg out of her way as she rushed back to the communication hub. "Cancel my last order."

"Ma'am?" the startled communications tech looked up, bewildered over the sudden change in mission directives.

"Do we have her apartment number?" she asked Danberg.

"Right here," he grabbed a folder from Agent Jones, and pulled out the printout of Katherine Beckett's driver's license. Turner snatched it and handed it to the communications tech.

"Tell them to go to this apartment and find a flash drive," she commanded. "And if they encounter resistance… they have my permission to use lethal force."

"I thought the Director wanted him alive?" Danberg stated in a hushed voice, after all some parts of the operation were still classified. Only she could sense the slight ripple in his calm demeanor.

"The Director is not out here in the field," Turner snapped her gaze back to him, annoyed with being second-guessed by her partner. "He doesn't know or understand the full extent of what's happening. We do. Castle's dangerous. He has to be stopped. We cannot allow him to disrupt national security any more than he already has."

"And what of Detective Beckett?" Danberg asked. "What if she get's caught in the crosshairs?"

"Collateral damage," Turner brushed off his concern. "She's a cop. She'd understand." She turned her attention back to the awaiting communications tech. "Relay my orders. Now."

XXX

Castle moved with lightning speed, covering the remaining distance between them in the blink of an eye. He slipped a hand inside her coat with skilled ease—which was kind of hot—and deftly retrieved the offending device. He looked it over in his hands, frowning. She raised an eyebrow in question, and he held it up for her to see the caller ID.

It read: Ryan.

"Kevin Ryan, he's one of my partners," she informed him.

"Then, you better answer it," he asserted, pressing the phone into her hand and stepping back to give her some space.

Kate knitted her eyebrows together, stunned that he'd actually let her talk with one of her colleagues, a fellow detective. She supposed he trusted her more than she him. Taking the phone, she held it up to her ear and tentatively answered.

"Hello?"

"Beckett, is that you?"

"Yeah," she furrowed her brow in confusion. "Why? Who else would it be?"

Ryan let out a nervous laugh on the other end of the line. "It… It's just that… the FBI's put out an APB on you, Beckett. It says you're wanted for questioning."

"Yeah, I know," she interjected, exchanging a look with Castle. He frowned; evidently super hearing was also one of his many skills. Or, as she now realized, he had surreptitiously switched the phone to speaker mode when he'd handed it to her. She flashed him a sardonic grin, before pulling the phone away from her ear and holding it out between them.

"You know!? Wha—I don't…," Ryan stammered in response. "Whatever. Look, Esposito and I… well, obviously we're both worried. Is everything—?"

Her colleague's question was cut off by what sounded like some rustling. She heard some hushed voices, and then Esposito came on the line. "What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Beckett?"

Kate glanced up at Castle. He returned her gaze with a steady stare, seemingly trusting her to make the decision as to how much she told her friends. "Honestly, I don't know."

"We can meet you somewhere if you need help," he asserted. She could hear Ryan's agreement in the background. Kate smiled, touched at the loyalty on display from her friends.

"If the FBI has an APB out on me, then I don't think it would be wise to meet," she asserted. "I don't want you guys getting into any trouble."

"It's no trouble, Beckett," Esposito protested. "We're a team. We stick together."

"I know," she sighed, and looked up at Castle, who was encouraging her to wrap it up. "And I appreciate that, but I… I can deal with this on my own."

"Beckett… Kate," Esposito's voice softened, and she could imagine him ducking down and hunching his back over his desk. "Don't do anything stupid, alright? I don't want a repeat of last May."

Her throat seized up as she was immediately assaulted with memories of that day—the sorrow the filled the air as she stepped up to the podium… the bright sun, the fresh green grass… the pain in her chest. Castle placed a hand on her shoulder, and she startled back to the present, opening her mouth for a quick intake of oxygen.

"No… it's… this is different," she said.

"If you say so," he sounded unconvinced. Esposito knew too well just how easily it was for her to fall down that rabbit hole. He'd witnessed it far to many times. They all had. Kate's heart clenched at the thought. Her friends shouldn't have had to deal with the fallout of her obsession.

"I'm okay. Don't worry about me."

"Can't promise that," Esposito replied, and she smiled, once again touched by the concern and loyalty from her brothers in arms. "Just… if you need anything, anything at all, Kate… you call us."

"I will. Promise," she said, and then hung up.

Castle took the phone from her, and immediately disassembled it, removing what, to her, appeared to be nothing more than some random circuit before he put it back together. He handed it back to her with a smile, his eyes sparkling with a boyish charm that melted her insides. Kate slid the phone into her pocket, disinclined to question him upon what it was he had just done. She'd ask him later. For now, she'd just accept it. He followed her with his eyes as she slowly worked her way around her room, her hand absently coming up to search for the ring dangling on the chain around her neck. His eyes flicked down, noticing the gesture.

"What happened last May?" he asked in a quiet voice, soft and filled with a touch of concern, which was surprising coming from the man who had just held her at gunpoint not too long ago.

"I… I don't want to talk about it," she averted her eyes, releasing her hold on her mother's ring as she became aware of her unconscious habit.

He inclined his head in understanding, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "If you've changed your mind about—"

"No," she asserted, her head snapping back up. "I'm coming with you, Castle," she continued with an easy smile. "You're not getting rid of me that easy."

He chuckled, and his eyes softened as he looked at her. She gazed back at him, her heart clenching with emotions that she should definitely not be feeling so early in their… relationship? But it couldn't be helped. Some things just were beyond her control. She, more than anyone else, understood that.

"Okay," he relented, his returning smile lighting up her world. Their moment was interrupted by a buzzing sound. Castle pursed his lips, and dug his old fashioned phone out of his jacket pocket. Kate frowned and arched her neck, catching a glimpse of the screen.

"How'd you tap into the CCTV cameras?" she asked, almost incredulous. He opened his mouth to respond, but she held up her hand to stop him. "Wait… on second thought, I don't want to know."

Castle winked, and glanced back down at the screen, shaking his head in consternation. "Shit." After two more seconds, he flipped the phone close and shoved it back into his pocket. He walked over to her roller, and grabbed the handle. "Good thing you didn't unpack," he said, as he turned back to her. She glanced at him with a bewildered expression. "Cause, we gotta go… like now!"

"But… but all those are dirty? I'd planned on doing the laundry tomorrow," Kate feebly objected.

"Sorry, but you'll have to make do."

"Castle!" she growled.

"Fine," he sighed, shoving the roller into her arms. "I'll give you five minutes to pack some fresh clothes." He winked at her, and pulled his phone out again, flipping it open.

Kate huffed and turned around, unzipping the roller, unceremoniously dumping its contents into the hamper. She paused, eyeing her open closet. Castle glanced up at her, encouraging her to hurry. She sighed, dropping the roller, and reached for the duffel on the top shelf inside the closet. She unzipped it, and grabbed a pair of running sneakers. Rushing over to her dresser, Kate quickly went through her drawers, grabbing an assortment of clothing that she hoped were appropriate for life on the run.

God, she couldn't believe it. She'd always prided herself on being the best cop possible, yet here she was, willingly becoming a fugitive from justice. Why?

She glanced over at Castle, watching as he scratched his chin, his blue eyes locked on the screen of his phone. Her lips tugged upward on their own volition and her heartbeat quickened. Yeah. Okay, that's why. And if Castle was right, and they bought the whole hostage act, she should be okay, at least with the NYPD. Kate turned back to her task, opening her lingerie drawer, discreetly adding two pairs of alluring bra and panties to the bland and utilitarian pairs she'd already deposited into the duffel. Just in case, she told herself.

"You done?"

Kate jumped, startled by Castle's sudden close proximity. She frowned at his mischievous expression, wondering just how much he'd seen. "Almost," she answered. "I just need to grab some socks."

"Hurry," he said, glancing down at his phone. "They're in the elevator."

"What!?" she exclaimed, shoving four pairs of clean socks into the duffel and zipping it up. "How… how are we going to escape?"

He looked around. "Fire escape?"

"This way," Kate said, carrying the duffel bag in her hands as she led the way.

Castle held her duffel as she climbed out the window and out into the cold night air. She gritted her teeth as the metal platform groaned under her weight. It was probably too late to wonder about the maintenance upkeep. Besides, Castle was already sliding out the window and joining her. He handed her the duffel, and then swiped his gun out of his jacket.

"Lead the way, I'll follow," he insisted, gesturing for her to move.

Kate heaved in a quick breath and took off down the metal staircase, moving as fast as she dared. She wasn't going to risk slipping and breaking her neck on a fall. The scar between her breasts twisted as she made a turn, and pain shot through her body. She clenched her jaw, suppressing the cry that wanted out. Castle must have noticed the stiffening of her body as she fought the pain.

"Here, give me the duffel," he said, taking it before she could respond. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," she hissed out.

He gave her a dubious look, but thankfully didn't question her further. They continued down the fire escape, until a soft pop and responding ricochet caught her ear. Castle groaned, placing a hand on her shoulder and shoving her forward, urging her to go faster. Kate didn't argue. Holy shit, she thought. They're really shooting at us. And from the sounds of it, these guys were using silencers. Suddenly Castle's assertions about 'bad people' being after them became a lot more believable.

She could hear the clambering of their pursuers, but didn't risk looking back. Feeling the metal structure wobble, Kate grabbed the railing for support as she made the final turn. Castle paused behind her, arching his back and aiming above them, taking two shots. The reverberations echoed off the building facades.

"Go," he kicked the lever and the ladder unfurled with a loud clanging noise that filled the night air. Castle tossed the duffel over the side and it landed with a thud on the sidewalk below.

Kate swung her leg over the edge, suppressing a groan as her scar twisted, and hastily climbed down. She looked back up, grabbing a step to hold the ladder steady as Castle followed. He slid down the metal ladder, a move reminiscent of an action hero from a summer blockbuster. She bit her lip, impressed. Castle landed on his feet, and winked at her. She grinned back. His eyes narrowed, and before she could question him, he was shoving her aside and raising his gun. One shot sounded, and Kate glanced up to see a man collapse, clutching his shoulder. She didn't know why, but it pleased her that he hadn't killed the man.

Castle retrieved the duffel and held out his hand. "Come with me if you want to live."

Kate snorted, and rolled her eyes at the cheesy line, but accepted his proffered hand nonetheless. The shouts of their pursuers faded as they rounded the corner and dashed down North Moore Street. She spotted the black Taurus they'd driven in earlier, and turned to head for it, but Castle tugged her hand, shaking his head. They continued on, feet pounding the pavement as they turned onto Hudson and then curved onto Ericsson Place, where there were some parked cars.

Castle slowed to a trot, holding up his arm to stop her. He handed her the duffel bag, and pulled his phone-like device back out of his jacket pocket. Her chest heaved as she stood there, taking the opportunity to catch her breath. Her heart was hammering, and she could hardly hear over the thumping in her ears. The scar along her side ached, but she ignored it. She silently berated herself for being so out of shape. It didn't matter the trauma she'd recently been through. Running two city blocks should not affect her like this. In the past, before the incident, such a feat would have been a cakewalk.

Halfway down the block, a car responded to Castle's device, flashed its lights and beeped, unlocking. Kate couldn't help but noticed that it was also a Taurus, but this time it was silver. Castle opened the trunk, and Kate dropped the duffel in the rear compartment. He grinned at her as they jogged back to the front, climbing in. Kate closed the door and pulled the seatbelt across her torso, buckling herself in. She glanced over, and watched as Castle pointed his phone at the console, his thumb pressing a flat black button on the side of the odd device.

"What are you doing?" she asked through panting breaths, furrowing her brow as she watched.

"Using the craft," he mumbled enigmatically.

The car roared to life, and Castle flashed her a triumphant grin. Kate attempted to smile back, but it fell flat. Her heart was still pounding beneath her chest, her side ached, and her scars were throbbing. She swallowed, stifling the watering in her eyes as her pain suppressors began to wear off, along with the adrenalin. Kate wondered if she'd made a mistake in coming with Castle. After all, she really didn't know what she'd gotten herself in to. But one look at him, and the flutter it caused inside her, was enough to overrule her better judgment. She may be acting out of character, but she didn't care. She was done with the dull ache of a sad and lonely life. Her mother wouldn't have wanted that for her, as Dr. Burke had helped her realize.

Castle presented Kate with an opportunity to do something different, something exciting, yet still worthwhile. If Castle was to be believed—and after being chased out of her own apartment by shadowy agents, she was inclined to believe him—a young woman was out there, somewhere, in need of help. Kate was determined to offer what assistance she could in saving her. And if she happened to have fun while doing it, then so be it.

Kate finally found her smile, letting out a relieved breath as Castle, unaware of her inner thoughts, put the car into gear. He glanced over his shoulder, before accelerating away for the curb and out into the quiet street, speeding her away from her apartment and life as she knew it.