Building Tension

Beckett could feel old memories invading her brain as she slipped into the same suit she'd used during her time as a federal agent. Life back then seemed so simple. Of course at the time, she'd probably thought it was complicated. But now she was chasing down phantom people, staking her life on this investigation. At least now she had Castle by her side.

"You ready?" Beckett whirled around to see Castle standing behind her. She did the last button of her blue shirt, stepping out of the bathroom.

"Yeah, I just need to grab my bag," she said. He followed her into the other room, playing on his phone.

"You know the plan?" she asked, probably for the 30th time that day. Castle however, indulged her, knowing she was just nervous.

"Yes I know the plan. Although all I'm doing is being in the crowd. You're the one who's protecting the big guy." Beckett rolled her eyes at castle's nickname for the president.

"You told Alexis and Martha?" She'd asked that many times before as well.

"Yes, they know I'm going to here the president speak." Beckett knew at this point that she was just being annoying to him.

"I'm sorry. I'm just nervous about this." She continued babbling until Castle pressed his lips against hers. She deepened it, her arms pulling him closer. Castle broke the kiss, pulling away.

"That make you feel better?"

"Always," she replied, her voice slightly raspy. Her pupils had dilated, and she felt a rush of heat through her body. Stop it! She told herself.

"We should go," Castle said, practically running downstairs. She followed, still trying to squash her desire. Now was definitely not the time.

Ryan stared at his partner, tears clouding his eyes. Jenny was his wife, and trusted companion, but Esposito was truly his best friend. The thought of having to work without him, it was unthinkable.

Jenny came into the room, seeing her husband slouched in the chair. He had changed into a normal shirt, and comfortable pants. He was nowhere near healed, but he could get himself around. And his first request had been to go and see Esposito.

"Kevin?" she asked, laying a hand on his shoulder. Ryan flinched, like he hadn't noticed her coming into the room.

"Oh, hey Jenny," he said, trying to act positive. He failed miserably.

"I brought you some coffee. And the doctor's on the way. He said that after a day, Javier should be waking up. He said that the first time Javier woke up, it wouldn't last. That the second time was when he would truly be up" Ryan nodded numbly. Jenny handed him the coffee, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. She then quietly retreated, knowing that Ryan needed some alone time.

Ryan sat there for two hours, waiting for something to happen. He looked up as the door flew open, and Lanie strode into the room.

"How is he?" she demanded, rushing over to examine the detective.

"Doctor said he should wake up very soon," Ryan promised, trying to reassure her. Lanie gently touched his face, circling some of the burns. Tears splashed to the floor, the only sound in the room.

"Is he paralyzed?" Lanie asked. Ryan still flinched whenever he thought of that.

"It's too soon to tell. This could just be temporary. Or it could be…" Ryan trailed off, not able to finish the sentence.

"What did Castle and Beckett say?" Lanie asked, turning her attention back to Esposito. Ryan didn't register her words at first. He'd been so shocked, that he didn't think to even call Castle or Beckett.

"Crap, they don't know," Ryan muttered, pulling out his phone.

"Don't call them," Lanie advised. "They're protecting the president." Ryan couldn't quite keep the shock off his face.

"They're what?" he asked, then quickly lowered his voice.

"Just don't worry about that. Right now, they can't be worrying about Esposito. And he would say the same thing." Ryan sighed, knowing she was right.

"Still, Beckett's going to kill me," Ryan muttered. They didn't get to finish their conversation, because there was a stirring in the bed.

"Javi?" Lanie slowly approached, seeing Esposito roll over.

"Hey," he murmured, reaching out his hand. He tried to sit up, but for some reason, he couldn't.

Esposito tried again to lift his legs, tried to force himself into a sitting position, but nothing happened.

"What's wrong?" he asked, looking down at the blankets.

"Umm, Javi… I…" Ryan began, swallowing hard. Esposito instantly knew something was wrong. He may have been muddled, and weak, but certainly not stupid.

"Spill it," he said, in his best intimidating voice. Unfortunately, it came out sounding like he was half donkey.

"The doctor said that you have a blood clot pressing against your spine. It's restricting your ability to control your leg movements."

"What does that even…" Esposito trailed off, as he realized what Ryan had just said.

"I… I'm paralyzed?" The heart monitor began going wild, clearly showing the distress of the detective.

"We don't know that for sure," Lanie said, trying to reassure him. Her attempts did little to reassure him.

"I'm paralyzed?!" Esposito yelled, slamming his fists against the bed.

"Javi, calm down," Ryan said, trying to soothe his partner. Esposito glared at him, clenching his fists.

"Don't tell me what to do!" he yelled. Lanie and Jenny both jumped back in fright. Ryan took a few steps back.

"Espo, I know that you're not being rational right now." Esposito tried to lunge out of bed, but ended up just twisting his body. Lanie quickly opened the door, pushing Jenny through. Ryan followed, leaving his partner alone in his room. He ran down the hall, grabbing Espo's doctor.

"Please help him."

Castle looked around him, seeing everyone milling around on the White House lawn. He was bored to death right now, waiting for the president's speech. He was only entertained by swapping looks with Beckett. He'd sensed how aroused she was back in the apartment, and was doing his best to torture her. He used that fiery, smoldering gaze that he knew she couldn't resist. Unfortunately, she gave as good as he did. She kept casually flipping her hair, and throwing him winning smiles.

Only once the actual speech started did they both get serious again. Castle stood with the crowd as the president on the United States came to stand on a podium.

"Welcome everyone." Castle clapped with everyone else, also searching the crowd. Somewhere, there was a cold blooded killer.

And the drama escalates. Let me know if you want hotter Caskett scenes.

Next time… Castle and Beckett work to save the president, undercover at the White House.