Sorry guys, it has been and I apologize. School is havoc but I guess so are many off your lives. Anyway, here is another chapter. Can't blame me for being sappy but when our favourite couple (besides Booth and Brennan) finally get together, you want to see how they go through the *Honeymoon faze*.

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own ANY show just box sets.

Enjoy my fellow Casketteers (Like the musketeers)

Chapter 9: Secret

It's been 3 hours, 23 minutes and about 49 seconds since they first kissed. 3 hours 12 minutes, 56 seconds since they started breakfast. 2 hours, 35 minutes and 24 seconds since they had their talk. 2 hours, 14 minutes and 14 seconds since the beginning of their secret.

"Rick, we need to finish the talk we had earlier."

Nodding, Castle complies and sits, his left ankle resting in his right knee and his hands clasped in his lap. Next to him, Kate sits in a crossed leg position on the couch. Her fingers picking at the threads of the blanket that covers it. Neither knew where to start. The silence in the room grew deafening as they sat, shifting ever so slightly every minute. Snapping out of her thoughts, Kate decides to start.

"Okay, well, we're together now, right?" Nodding in confirmation, Castle sits up straight preparing for the talk.

"Urm, so i was wondering.. God I'm not good at this." Kate complies slightly, exasperation in her voice. Deciding to help her, Castle jumps in.

"Kate, i know you aren't the best at the emotions, it isn't a bad thing. Don't worry." Castle reassured her as a scowl appears on her face. It softens though at the last sentence. "I love you and i respect anything you want or need so just ... say it."

Letting out a sigh Kate answers "Could we... could we maybe keep this between us for a bit. I don't mind Alexis or your mother knowing but if Gates finds out, well, that could be catastrophic." She emphasises on the catastrophic.

"I understand Kate. So, you want to go slow then?" His face turns to questioning as he asks her.

"Yes, that is what i am trying to say. Thank you." Kate drops her head in relieve. The tension slowly seeping from her body.

"Kate." He grasps her hands in his. "I like the idea of this just being between us for a bit. I don't know how long i will last because at the moment i want to shout it from the rooftop."

Kate giggles slightly. "When we become exclusive, you can do just that."

The nine-year old on a sugar rush comes back to life before her very eyes. Bouncing on the balls of his feet like how Alexis was doing earlier, he grins widely. The boyish grin that was one of the reasons she fell in love with him. Standing, she reaches up on her tip-toes and presses a soft, sweet kiss to his lips. After few moments they both pull away, wearing identical smiles.

His face suddenly drops. "How the hell am i going to stop grinning when we go to work?" Kate's follows, the same thought running through her head.

Returning from the memory, Kate glances at the clock. Her smile carefully schooled under her work mask. Her eyes stay pinned on the clock watching the smallest hand tick slowly, in shuddered movements to every second. They had no new leads on their serial killer. Besides from the cards; his gender; his hand size and the type of person he goes for, there wasn't anything that could be considered useful.

An aroma she has become accustomed to wafts under her nostrils. Tearing her gaze away, she looks down and spots a steaming cup of coffee being placed on her desk by a familiar hand. A smile twitches at the corner of her lips as she sees the face off her partner/ boyfriend/ best friend standing in front of her, not even bothering to hide his grin.

Flopping down in his chair, Castle just says "I didn't see the point in hiding it. I couldn't stop smiling. You should see the looks I've gotten from the guys. I know I smile a lot but apparently, this smile," He points at the smile adorning his face. "Is way too weird. They think I'm on drugs or got laid, which of course the only person i intend to get laid by is you." He adds winking and placing a smirk upon his lips.

Kate released a laugh at the picture of the boys questioning Castle and his hopeless flirting. A thought pops into her head making her smirk, mirroring her boyfriend's. "Guess we'll just have to find a way to wipe that grin off. Privately." She whispers in his ear as she passes by, her delicate hand teasing his shoulder slightly. With that, she winks and walks away, sashaying to Detective Ryan's and Esposito's desk.

Castle sits there and watches her go. Tingles overtaking the nerves in his recently caressed shoulder. Her hips swaying sensously from side to side. He feels a tightening in his pants and fidgets, hoping no-one sees. That woman will be the death off me but what a way to go. He thinks before shutting his eyes and focusing on anything to get rid off his little problem. Baseball. Dead body. Err. Mother. Ahh, there we go.

Sighing in relief, he stands and walks over to the three people who are huddled round a folder. "So, anything?" Kate grins at his voice and catches his eye. He glares in answer, mock annoyance at what she did. Smiling wider she turns back to Ryan, who directs his eyes quickly towards the folder acting like he hadn't seen what just happened between the duo. Clearing his throat, he speaks.

"Not much. However, the second victims name is Chrissie Banks. Age 25. We questioned neighbours around her flat and one of them saw her storm out of her to her, she heard shouting, sounding like a fight between her boyfriend and Chrissie."

"Boyfriend's name?" Kate asks.

"Ahh, a Phil Bogin. Aged 26. He was her long-term boyfriend and they recently moved in together 1 year ago."

"Address?"

"57A. They lived in a flat in Park Avenue, E 89th Street." He replies shutting the folder as he looks up.

Kate nods and turns to Castle. "Time to bring in the boyfriend."

Kate

"Mr Bogin. Kate Beckett and my partner Richard Castle. We've brought you in to talk about your girlfriend Chrissie."

"Is she okay? I mean, i haven't seen her since Friday."

"We talked to your neighbours. They claimed to have heard shouting coming from your apartment. What was it that you were fighting about?"

"Ermm, you know. Bills and money. That kind of stuff." Her eyes take him in, she can tell he is lying by the way his body is shifting in the chair as he says this.

"We can tell you're lying Mr Bogin. Do you know what happens to people who lie during an investigation? They can get charged with false evidence claim and interference in helping us catch his guy."

"Wait, this guy?"

"We are sorry to inform you that your girlfriend, Chrissie Banks was found murdered in an alley yesterday morning."

"Wait, what? Murdered? No, that can't be right."

"It is so i am going to ask you again. What were you two fighting about?"

"I.. she caught me in bed with another woman at the hospital where I work. Okay?" His eyes showed regret.

Kate feels anger bubbling up in her. Why do people think it's okay to cheat? Castle sits back, his mind running along the same train of mind.

"What happened after?"

"She stormed from the apartment. I followed but not after her. I headed down to the bar to grab a few drinks."

"Which bar?"

"The Old Haunt."

Castle sits up grinning at the name of his bar. Deciding to get an opinion on the bar, he asks "What is the Old Haunt like?" Kate shoots him a glare as Phil answers.
"Ermm, it's a great place. Kinda like a speak-easy. Comforting and has a good atmosphere. What has that got to do anything with the murder?" Kate shoots another glare at the grinning fool beside her, before adopting a sweet smile.

"Sorry, Mr Bogin. My partner is an avid fan of the bar and wants to know what others think of it. So, if we looked through the logs, your name would be there?"

"Yes."

"Okay, thank you for your time. Try to stay near so we can reach you with any news."

"Okay." Nodding, Kate and Castle walk him out. Once alone, Castle turns to Beckett. "He thinks my bar is good." He boasts. Followed by a little happy dance that involves him pumping his hands up and down in the air, index fingers pointed, while jumping in a circle. His legs moving like one might do if they had, lets say, a wedgie.

Laughing at the absurd jiggle, Kate shakes her head in mock defeat before going over to the guy's desks.

"Guys, Suspect says he was at The Old Haunt catching a few drinks after a fight with his girlfriend. Apparently, he had an affair with another woman. Can you run a check on her?"

"Sure Boss."

"Castle, since you own the bar. Can you look at the logs and get the security tapes to give to Esposito?"

"Course Beckett. I'll go down and get them now. You coming?" His eyes plead that she says yes.

"Yeah, let me grab my jacket."

Castle

As soon as they were out of the Precinct and inside the car, Castle leans over the console and wraps a hand around the back of her neck. "I need you." He whispers huskily. Kate turns her head at his words and meets his gaze filled with love and desire for a split second before his mouth is on hers. Soft lips brushing softly then getting harder as the passion rises.

Kate flicks her tongue against his lips begging him too grant her access. He does and now they are furiously fighting for dominance. Her hand curling in his dark hair. The other is cupping his face. Need and desire is now feeding their passion, lighting it up like a supernova building heat; getting ready to overwhelm the star.

Feeling the slight stubble that is growing, her soft fingertips scrape softly against his cheek. His hands are still buried in her luscious brown curls, tangling the fine hairs and locking her in place.

None of them want it too end but the lack of oxygen becomes too much. Pulling away slightly, their breaths come in rapid bursts. Each desperately trying to suck in air and to calm their arousal. Shutting her eyes, Kate tilts her forehead so it leans against his, their breaths fanning each others' faces.

"I've waited all day to do that." Castle confesses.

Kissing him again but softer Kate answers "So was I." Grinning, she pulls away and places the key in the ignition. Stepping on the gas, she pulls off the curb and into the busy streets of New York. She's focused on where they're going, he's focused on nothing but her. God, I love you.

Kate

How long is Castle going to stare at me for? I'm flattered but its so...its so intense. Creepy but in a good way. How does that even make sense but somehow, he makes creepy adorable. Still makes no sense.

Kate turns her head and looks into the startled eyes of Castle as he finds out he's been caught. "Can you stop staring?"

Castle quickly changes his posture into a more relaxed pose. "How can I?"

"Well, your brain sends signals to move your eyes and then you twist them away onto..."

"Yeah, yeah, okay Miss smartass. I understand but what I meant is how can I when there is nothing more beautiful than you?"

Kate blushes and tries to form a response. "We haven't been together for more than 3 to 4 hours and you've gone sappy."

"Can't blame me, love." He twists around as the Old Haunt gets nearer. If he hadn't, he would have noticed the widening of Kate's eyes at the endearment. I actually like that.

Stepping out, Castle quickly walks to Kate's side and opens the door knowing it will annoy her.

"Castle, I am perfectly capable of opening a door. I do have arms, you know?"

"Oh, I know and I have the perfect use for them." He winks before strolling into his bar. She waits for a moment, frozen before she grins wickedly and follows.

Castle

Phil Bogan, Phil Bogan, Phil Bogan. Castle stands with his hands on the desk. Looking down at the book of orders from the night of the second victim's death. Sighing in frustration, he looks up at Kate who is peering at him with curiosity painted on her face.

"Beckett, I've looked at the logs and Phil wasn't here. Unless he paid with cash then he has no alibi for the night of her murder."

"Right, we'll have to call the boys about the security tapes and see if they caught him on the camera but at the moment, he is a suspect."

"I don't know if he is the killer though. The first victim, he had no relation to and the real murderer is a guy that plans and chooses his victims randomly. Anyway, this guy wouldn't give us any chance to think it was him. Fight then murder? I doubt the person that committed this would make it as obvious as thought." His eyes crinkly in deep thought as he explains this.

"You're right but we still need to find out where Phil really was that night."

"I agree."

You know the drill :)