Author's Note: I kinda had this in my head for Beckett's dress... kinda: http:/tinyurl.com/774ydck (perhaps a slightly classier version?)

I'm trying to keep up in NaNoWriMo with my other story (not Castle related), and that's why this chapter was a bit overdue. I'm back to the other story for a few days now that I have this out of my system, but updates will still show up here with some regularity. That being said, it appears this is my second longest chapter so far!

Thanks again for reading - I appreciate anybody that takes the time to sign up for an alert or reads stealthily.

Disclaimer: I see nothing, I hear nothing, I own nothing. *grin*

Chapter 10: Ride the Wild Wind

Rick swept through his front door and walked straight to his bedroom. He picked out a deep royal button-down shirt and a black jacket. Paired with dark jeans and footwear that he paid a godawful amount for just to have good-looking casual shoes. As he adjusted his blazer, he hit Beckett's name in his phone.

"Beckett."

"Hey, are you picking me up, or am I meeting you at your place?" he asked.

"Hrm." she said, as she shoved the phone in the crook of her neck. "I can come and get you. Just grabbing my shoes now. Be there in 20?"

"Sure. I'm ready, I'll just chat with the ladies while I wait." He was winking at his mother and Alexis as he ended the call. He leaned both elbows on the countertop of the kitchen island while his daughter popped a grape in his mouth. "So ladies, what's on the docket for this evening?"

Martha looked significantly dressed down, and she explained, "I have a late class starting in about a half hour. It's about stretching your mind and body." She made a fake ballet move with her arm, reaching down to touch her toes at the end of a blouson top and fitted black leggings.

"That actually sounds very relaxing Mother." Rick gave her a peck on the cheek as she breezed towards the front door. She waved over her shoulder as she walked out.

"And you, Ms. Alexis?"

"I'm not doing anything important. I had a rough week, so I may just turn in early. I'm trying to fit more electives in during my spare time so I haven't had a lot time to relax." She looked a little glum as she sighed out the words.

"Well, hopefully it'll be worth it when you get into whatever school you decide to attend. I realize it's painful right now, but knowing you, actual college is going to be a walk in the park compared to what you're going through." Rick put his forehead up against his daughter's and gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm about one-hundred percent sure you'll lap my grades in the first semester."

She laughed, the smile took away any tension in her face. "Well who wouldn't?" Then she kissed him where their heads had been touching, gave him a quick hug, and ran up the stairs. "Have fun tonight dad. Don't do anything I wouldn... uh, nevermind" She shook her head at him - knowing he'd probably do all kinds of things she wouldn't, and retreated into the calming silence of her room.

Just as he finished a fresh glass of water, he heard the knock at his door. She was a little early, he'd been about to leave and meet her on the street level.

"Hey Beck..." the words got lost somewhere in the ether as he was rendered speechless. Beckett was half turned away as she smoothed the skirt of her form-fitting black dress. It didn't matter how many times she took his breath away, it seemed like every time was just as impactful as the first.

He took the opportunity to breathe her in. She had on her usual stiletto heels, paired with the little black dress featuring a blousy tank-style top, and a tight mini-skirt accented with a slightly off-center zipper. The detail of the skirt gathered ever so slightly, so it was angled upwards at the base of the zipper. Amazing. Her legs went on forever in that dress.

"Hey... earth to Castle. You ready?" She prodded him.

"Oh... yeah, I'm all set. You're just a little early. I wanted to meet you downstairs." He walked out into the hallway and locked up the loft.

She played it off, but she definitely noticed that Castle was momentarily speechless when he saw her. It gave her a slight ego boost, but truly, she just enjoyed seeing him silent. She snickered inwardly at that thought as she led their walk downstairs to her car.

"So, you ready for this? I know you 'old guys' don't have enough stamina to go out clubbing anymore, but I figured you could handle it for a night."

"Oh Beckett, I can 'handle' it." she could hear him muttering "old guys..." as they ducked into their respective sides of the car.

"What's the plan?" he asked. "What kinds of things should we be looking out for?"

"Well, I want to try to spy on Rod Cudworth. It should be relatively easy since we haven't talked to him yet.

She was all business while discussing the case. It was just about as sexy as when she flirted with him. Her professionalism and strength were part of what drew him to her in the first place. He kept drifting to that spot in his mind, where he thought about her outside the work environment. They'd be at a club that night, but he had to remind himself that it was serious business. He had to stay on his toes.

Beckett found a garage near the club and pulled in. She paid the exorbitant fee and hoped she could get it expensed later. Parking was such a racket. They took the elevator down to street level and cut around to the entrance of the club. She had a feeling Castle wouldn't have the automatic 'in' at this place, and that's why she wore the dress she had. Sometimes sex does sell. Sure enough, they only made it inside the club when she walked in front of him and pulled him inside by the hand.

Even though it was early, the club was abuzz with activity. It seemed like the type of place that was just always busy. There were a few tables opposite the bar area, and a gargantuan dance floor just past it.

She guided him towards the bar and took a seat while he leaned on the counter next to her. He put his head close to hear ear and asked, "Want a beer or something? I'm sure we could nurse them and still be able to do our job here."

"Yeah, sure - make mine a light beer?" she responded as he turned his head to hear her better. He nodded, then called the bartender over and ordered two bottled light beers. When they were brought over, he handed over his credit card and asked to open a tab.

"You don't need to do that. I can start a tab and expense it tomorrow." she protested.

"Eh, I'll pick up the beers. They're way overpriced and I'd rather have my tax dollars spent on more important things." He idly popped a couple of tiny pretzels in his mouth and took a long sip of the sudsy brew.

Kate took a swig of her beer while she surveyed the room. "No sign of Rod Cudworth anywhere yet."

"I'm sure we'll see him if his description is anywhere near correct. Just keep an eye out for 'The Hulk'." They kept their heads close to hear each other over the deafening techno music. "I'd ask if you wanted to dance, but I don't find this stuff they play in clubs much fun to dance to."

"I'm okay with just sitting here Castle. There are plenty of people hanging around the bar, we shouldn't draw much attention to ourselves."

"Okay. I'm good with that. Should we chat? I mean, will it distract you or anything?" he asked.

"Sure, I should be okay as long as we don't get all philosophical." she smiled as she bobbed her foot to the music. She wasn't a fan of dance mixes either, but it was difficult to stay still when it was just so damned loud. "How's Alexis doing?"

"She's tired. Ended up grabbing a few extra elective activities, even if that meant taking over for a friend. She was already over-extending herself, and now she has even less free time. I'm giving her some space, but I encouraged her to relax tonight. I'm hoping she's asleep by now, or at least relaxing."

"I'm sure she is. I remember my Senior year. I worked really hard to be as diverse as possible, and it ended up taking a lot of effort. She'll make it fine, she's a hard worker." she replied. "I still have no idea how you ended up with offspring so different from yourself." She turned her head back towards him and flashed a close-mouthed smile while chewing a mini-pretzel.

"Ha, and might I add, Ha, Ms. Beckett. Just because I make my work look easy doesn't mean I don't actually do something." He managed to throw her an almost convincing look of distress, but just couldn't pull it off completely. "Okay, you may be right. However, I didn't get where I am now by skating through life completely care-free."

Kate thought she heard just a twinge of hurt in his response, so she touched his shoulder and countered with "I know Castle, I was teasing you. You have an amazing work ethic when you work for free, I can't imagine how hard you must work when you're writing. I'd ask to come watch you work, but it'd probably be creepy." She added a little wink at the end of her sentence, knowing he'd get the joke.

"Well, fair is fair Detective. I could always have you over to proofread on a night when Alexis is unavailable..." He trailed off, checking to see if she was thinking over the offer.

She was definitely considering his overture. After all, his writings were what originally impressed her about the man, so getting to watch - and read as he wrote - seemed like a fun thing to do. "I'd be up for that Castle. As long as Black Pawn is okay with it."

"They'd have to be. Besides, what they don't know won't hurt them. A second pair of eyes is always good, and it's not like you're going to leak anything. You barely want my 'Heat' novels published as it is." They continued talking while they waited - about the weather, baseball, Esplainie's recent breakup. Finally, Beckett saw something.

"Oh hey, there's Cudworth now." She tilted her head in the direction of a very large man standing near the curtained off area just past the dance floor. "You think we can work our way nearer to him without attracting attention?"

"Sure." He put his empty soldier on the bar and indicated to the bartender that they'd be away, but to keep the tab open. "Let's get out there." He held out his arm and she took it gladly.

He steered them onto the dance floor and started to move rhythmically to the beat of the music. He leaned down to her and said, "Jeez this stuff is all bass and no music."

"Agreed. But I'm shocked you have some moves despite that." She mentioned, as she twisted her body and sometimes bent her knees to shimmy downwards. A darkness momentarily passed through Castle's piercing blue eyes, but he recovered quickly.

"Ditto." he answered, throwing a quick smile her way.

They slowly moved in sync towards the far end of the room, so they could get a better view of the very large man. Hopefully they'd be able to get a little information helpful to the case. Knowing it would be easier for her to keep an eye on their suspect, he edged them sideways so she was facing the back of the room.

Beckett watched as the man turned and talked to someone who parted the curtains briefly. Nothing interesting yet, she thought. Looking back at Castle, she saw that his eyes were peering off over her shoulder. She glanced in the same direction and saw nothing of interest. "What are you looking at Castle?"

"Hm? Oh nothing, just lost in thought I guess." He answered. The last thing he wanted to do was let her know that he was just trying to avoid staring at her. "Anything going on behind me?"

"Nah." she responded. "He talked to someone, but it was just for a second. Nothing important."

She saw Castle's eyes brightened as he said, "Well, well... lookee who we have here." and indicated an area near the front door.

It was Neal Clayton, accompanied by Amie Carnivale. They walked in to the club, arms intertwined. Beckett gave them a quick glance and pulled Castle off to the side by his sleeve. "We have to get somewhere so they don't see us."

Rick looked around and saw a dark corner on the edge of the seating area. He nodded, and they both moved there deliberately yet unobtrusively. He surveyed the room and made the assertion, "I think we'll still be able to see them from here, and I don't think they'll notice us."

Beckett nodded in agreement and added, "Well, this case just got a little bit more interesting."

Author's Note: Yeah, I know 'impactful' isn't widely considered a true word, but I managed to find it in several online dictionaries so I went ahead and used it. It comes from all my years of designing presentations for gov't contractors. *sigh*