Huge thanks to auntof3, Nadreth, red2013, and Sirona for the reviews and to everyone else who alerted and favorited this. Next chapter will finally give some insight into Ryan's background.

Ryan's recovery was coming along slowly and tediously, his body not recovering as well as he wanted it to. The first few days had been all right with Ryan mostly playing video games as well as he could with only one hand and watching tv and movies but as the days went on he began to get depressed. Because his attack wasn't random but planned and carried out by someone he knew Esposito took time off and kept him at his apartment, using a detail at the door when he had to leave for a while. His attack had to be related to the mob and he wasn't about to just send him home with a good luck while he waited for the person who did it to come back and finish the job. No, for now they had to live together and Esposito couldn't help but enjoy that fact.

At the end of the second week Esposito walked out of the kitchen and over to his boyfriend who was just staring at the blank tv screen with dead eyes. After approaching he let his eyes wander over him and even though he was finally beginning to heal he still had a ways to go. "So you haven't left the apartment in two weeks and I think you're getting depressed. I think we should go out tonight," he stated without preamble.

Ryan shook his head instantly, "Look at me Javi, my arms in a sling, my fingers are splinted together and I still can't walk normal because of my stitches. If that doesn't scream victim the yellow and brown bruises covering my entire body do."

Esposito snapped his fingers with a smile, "See I knew you were going to say that so I picked a place where people wouldn't bug you."

"And where's that?"

Esposito smiled, "Castle's poker game, just Beckett and Castle and us. Come on get dressed and out of the pjs you've been living in." Seeing he wasn't convincing him very well he sighed and sat down in front of the couch, meeting his eyes. "Kev you gotta get out bro. You always have this spark in your eyes; it's what makes them so bright, so blue. It's this glint that just screams mischief and you can't help but be drawn in." He paused and looked away for a moment before looking back and finishing quietly, "It's been gone since I found you in the tub. It's like you just gave up, don't let them win Kev."

Kevin rolled over so he was staring at the ceiling, "They're everywhere Javi. I haven't called or shown up to work in three weeks, they know I'm hiding. Then because I'm not working I can't pay the bills; I'm going to lose my apartment and I can't pay my hospital bills and…" he was silenced with a kiss.

"Don't worry about that stuff ok? Let's just go out and have some fun. Come on let's get you dressed, I miss your bartender outfits."

Ryan sighed and allowed Esposito to help him up, "It's called a vest and it's not exclusive to bartenders. You should try it sometime, it's called style."

"Of course bro, whatever you say."

After showering, shaving, and getting dressed he did have to admit it felt good to be actually presentable. Esposito helped him into his sling and gave him his pain pills before fixing his hair since with his shoulder it was proving difficult. When he was finished Ryan looked much better but still looked like all he wanted to do was melt into the couch. Esposito kneeled on the ground and snuggly laced the boots he always wore before standing and kissing the side of his head, "Let's go."

They descended down the stairs and into Esposito's car where Ryan began to fidget, "Javi?"

"Yeah?"

Ryan licked his lips nervously, "Do Castle and Beckett know I'm coming? I mean I'm just a murder suspect with a record in an ongoing investigation. I don't think Beckett likes me very much."

Esposito laughed, "You took out everyone in holding, that was a paperwork nightmare."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly.

Esposito grabbed Ryan's hand and smiled, "Don't worry bro, just relax." Fifteen minutes, an elevator ride, and a knock later they stood before Castle's door waiting for an answer.

Castle swung the door open and greeted Esposito and Ryan with a large smile, "Hey guys!"

Esposito walked right in but Ryan walked more slowly as he entered the unfamiliar and gigantic apartment. He glanced around nervously and stepped across the threshold only to be assaulted by an older woman with bright red hair. "Martha, a pleasure to meet you dear. You are simply adorable; I see why everyone likes you. Oh, and those eyes! To die for."

He held out his hand and shook hers, "Uh… thanks. Kevin ma'am."

Castle suddenly appeared next to them and grabbed his mother's shoulders, "Mother stop scaring him, don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Of course! I'm off to meet Chet. Try to have fun without me!" She walked out the door and closed it behind her, the door closing making Ryan jump slightly.

Seeing the younger man looking so unsure he placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him to the kitchen. After pouring him a stiff drink he glanced at Esposito who was sitting on the couch flipping through the channels before looking back at him, "You probably don't remember but we all visited you in the hospital. Looks like you're doing a lot better now."

Ryan accepted the drink and frowned, "Why would you all visit? I'm just some guy, I'm surprised you even let me in your house with my theft charge."

"We visited because you're important to Esposito and as for having you in my home unless you give me a reason to not trust you, you're good. I don't think you're a bad guy, just somebody that ended up with a bad hand."

Ryan's frown deepened, "You act like I'm a victim."

"Are you? Or do you play a more active role in the events around you?" Ryan took a large gulp of his drink and thanked the heavens for the doorbell ringing which made Castle excuse himself. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

Ryan was just about to join Esposito on the couch when Alexis bounded down the stairs with a huge smile and ran over to him before engulfing him in a hug, being mindful of his sling and hand. "Kevin! I didn't know you were coming over for poker night!"

He fought off a blush and smiled brightly, "Yeah kind of got roped into it."

"You look so much better than before. All the bruises are almost gone," she said happily.

He nodded, "How'd the report go?"

Her smile grew, "Amazing, A+. She said it was the best written and most informative report she's gotten in years. Thank you so much for the help I couldn't have done it without you."

"Didn't do much, just rambled."

Esposito suddenly appeared next to him, "You ramble? I don't believe it, and what are you two talking about?"

Ryan pointed to Alexis, "She visited me every day in the hospital. I helped her with her report on different world cultures."

Castle, who now had Beckett beside him frowned a little, "You visited Ryan everyday in the hospital? Why?"

Seeing everyone was making him uncomfortable Alexis grabbed the Irishman's arm tightly and smiled at him, she was significantly younger than him but based on his injuries and shy nature she felt almost motherly towards him. "When he was at the station while you checked his alibi we started talking about school and my Geography and World Cultures class. He said if he wasn't booked for murder he'd help me when he got the chance, turns out being stuck in a hospital bed is the perfect chance. When you told me he was in the hospital I went over there during my study breaks. He likes licorice, as long as you keep feeding it to him he'll keep talking."

Ryan chuckled, "You make me sound like a pet."

"Ryan, can I speak to you?" Beckett asked politely a few moments later. He flinched harshly before offering a jerky nod and following her to Castle's office. She closed the door behind them and leaned against it, blocking the exit. "How are you feeling?"

Surprised by the question he stuttered out a, "Better."

"Good, Esposito was pretty upset. Castle and I were too. Ryan I need you to tell me if what happened to you was because of us questioning you at the precinct. Did someone think you talked? Did they torture you for information?" she asked softly.

Ryan bristled and pointed an angry finger at her, "I don't have to tell you anything. You don't care about my well being or about me. Leave me the hell alone." Beckett shook her head and opened her mouth again but Ryan interrupted. "You can't make me talk."

He blew out an angry breath, "Look detective, I get that you have a job to do. I can appreciate what you do for people but for me it's hardwired to not talk to you. Don't take it or my attitude personally, you seem like a great person and Javi speaks highly of you but you're not my friend so don't act like it."

Beckett sighed, "I'm not trying to upset you, that wasn't my intention."

"Well you're doing a damn good job of it detective."

She walked away from the door as a gesture of peace, "I'm sorry it's just my job and sometimes I come on too strong. It was upsetting to see you in the hospital; it bothered me more than it usually does. I just want to make sure whoever hurt you won't do it again and that our two victims will get justice. I know you're connected to them in some way."

Ryan walked towards the door but turned before exiting and gave her a haunted look, "We can't always have what we want Kate. I'm truly sorry." He opened the door and walked back towards the kitchen and everyone else. Esposito raised his eyebrows in question but Ryan just shook his head and forced an uncomfortable smile as Beckett walked out of the office.

Trying to alleviate the obvious tension that had appeared Castle turned and clapped his hands together, "Ok, are we playing or not? I have money to win."

Everyone settled around the table and Esposito dealt out the cards before everyone began betting. The game took a relaxed pace and the stakes rose and to Ryan's credit he bet boldly for someone who no longer had an income. No one knew how it started but the conversation turned to murder and after a while only Ryan and Beckett remained in the game and everyone but Ryan was talking about a murder case they had worked on.

"What are your thoughts Ryan?" He looked up slowly and shrugged but winced when it pulled at his shoulder.

Castle leaned forward, "Yeah tell us what you think. Play the game."

"Well I….uh…" He sighed and looked around the table, "This won't come back to bite me in the ass right?" After everyone shook their heads he threw in a few more chips on to the table. "It's about respect, not money. Killing for money is low class but killing for respect… It's the way you kill them too that speaks the loudest as you all know. You don't want to go all psychopath because that's just disturbing but you want to leave a message, something that everyone will recognize."

Beckett threw in a few chips, "So if you were going to kill somebody how would you do it to send a message?"

"Hypothetically…" he began. "If I was going to off somebody I would choose something quick and clean. Only the creepers would want to hang around a dying guy for longer than they had to. You wouldn't want to do anything to their head or neck because then you'd just have blood everywhere and bloods a bitch to get out of clothes…. I've heard. I'd have to say strangulation would be my way to kill somebody, then when somebody finds them it's almost like they're sleeping. It's just tragic, yet classy. If I had a partner though I'd just do one through the forehead. Quick and to the point. Shoot 'em, dump 'em, done."

He looked around the table and noticed everyone looking at him, "Hey you asked, plus Castle comes up with worse than that." Everyone kept staring so he cleared his throat uncomfortably and threw all his chips to the center of the table. "All in."

Esposito whistled and Castle's eyebrows rose as he looked at Beckett who shook her head before sliding all her chips in. With a grin she laid down her cards, "Read 'em and weep, four-of-a-kind."

Ryan nodded politely before laying down his cards, a grin growing on his face as everyone's eyes widened. "Royal Flush… Detective."

Esposito began to laugh and felt his heart swell at the familiar glint in Ryan's blue eyes. "What's with the poker face bro? You never even flinched once."

"The things you hear at a bar? You learn to not react pretty well. Get enough alcohol in people are they act like they're confessing to the pope; affairs, stealing. They tell you quite a bit and if you react then only bad things will happen."

Beckett nodded, "Makes sense, people talk to people they trust. Who would you trust more than the person that's never steered you wrong, your bartender."

Ryan touched his nose before pointing to her. The chips were split back up after being counted but just before the cards were dealt Alexis came walking downstairs.

Castle looked at his daughter, "Did you want to play honey?"

"I don't really know how."

"That's ok, we'll teach you as you go," he said with a smile. She grabbed a chair and to everyone's surprise she didn't sit next to her dad but sat down next to Ryan who grinned nervously.

"Alright then," Castle exclaimed. "Let's play."

The game progressed slowly with everyone playing lightly and carefully, Ryan pointing to Alexis' cards and whispering things to her which she absorbed quickly. It became clear halfway through the game that Ryan wasn't playing anymore but had seemed to team up with Alexis, and they were dominating.

"Geez you two, I don't know if it's beginners luck or if Kev's just that good but you two are wiping me out."

Ryan's face was pure amusement, "Beginners luck," he answered before looking at Alexis who nodded. "Totally."

Castle shook his head in amusement and stood, "Who needs a refill?" Beckett and Esposito held up their glasses but Ryan just yawned widely. Seeing he was fading fast Esposito wondered if tonight was too much for him. With a tap on the shoulder and a jerk of his head Ryan stood and followed him to the couch where they both dropped down.

"You ok Kev?"

Ryan nodded, "Just tired."

He leaned forward and frowned, "Is that alcohol on your breath? Bro you're on pain pills no wonder you're fading. That could kill you."

The half-asleep man snuggled into his side and yawned, "Don't be mad Javi, it was just one drink. You're so warm and comfortable."

How could he stay mad when Ryan was burrowing into his side and relaxing like an overgrown child? He dropped his head and placed a soft kiss to his lips before holding him a little bit tighter.

Alexis wandered into the living room and smiled at the sight of Ryan passed out on the couch leaning against Esposito who was running his fingers up and down his arm. She sat down on the coffee table in front of them, "Are you going to keep playing? I can sit with him."

"You sure Chiquita?"

She nodded instantly, "I don't mind at all, is he ok?"

"Just tired from the pain meds he's still on. I should have made sure he didn't drink, he's probably gone 'til morning." He stood carefully and stuffed a pillow next to his companion to keep him upright before walking back to the table.

He sat down and looked at Castle and Beckett who were looking in the living room where Alexis was now sitting next to Ryan. "She seems pretty fond of him," Castle mentioned.

Beckett nodded, "She's mothering him. He must have said something to her that she felt she needed to protect him from. Ryan doesn't seem to mind the attention."

Esposito nodded as he watched Alexis cover Ryan with a blanket and grab a book. "He doesn't have any friends or anything, from what it sounds like the only people he hung out with wanted things from him but didn't want to give anything. Sad really, twenty-seven years old and nothing to show for your life; no friends, now no job and soon no apartment."

Beckett gave Castle a knowing look before asking, "He's been staying with you, are you just going to let him continue?"

"Probably, I mean as long as he wants to. Not like I'm going to kick him out."

When Esposito turned back from looking at his boyfriend Castle had a huge grin on his face. "What?"

"Have you told him?"

Esposito bristled slightly, "What are you talking about bro?"

Becket leaned forward as a smile creeped along her lips, "Have you told him you love him?"

"What? I…" he trailed off at their twin grins before sighing. "No."

"Don't be scared. He feels the same way," Castle whispered in a rare moment of seriousness. "You almost lost him, don't waste anymore time. We don't know the whole story but I have a feeling that he's already lived past his life expectancy. Ties to the mob, now somebody went after him… his clocks been ticking since he was born."

"Yeah well I'm going to make sure that clock stops ticking, now deal me in."