"Who keeps a broken umbrella?"

"It was a gift from my father…"

"He gave you a broken umbrella?"

"I broke it."

"And saved it…"

"You don't throw away gifts. Even if they're gifts that don't work anymore."

"You might have mentioned that when we left."

"I didn't know you picked up the broken one."

He grumbled, but Beckett knew he wasn't all that annoyed. Besides, he'd understand when Alexis was older. Of course, she had been smart enough to wear a hooded jacket when they'd left and the discovery that the umbrella didn't work as well as it would have if there weren't a giant hole in it didn't bother her nearly as much as it did him, since he had no hood to protect him from the rain. She'd told him that they could forget the walk and just go home, but he'd declined the offer and had simply made sure her hood was up and her hair was tucked in and had given her his arm and continued the walk as though nothing was wrong.

Now that they'd arrived back at the apartment, cheeks flushed from the cold and in surprisingly good spirits considering the gloomy day, he had to make at least one comment about the current state of things.

"I feel like a drowned rat."

Beckett laughed and reached up, feeling his face first and then working her way to his hair, which was soaked.

"You really are wet. I'll get you a towel."

He caught her hands in his, and even with the cast on one he was gentle, and he kissed them lightly, his lips warm against the cool skin of her fingers.

"I'll get a towel," he told her. "You get out of those wet shoes before you catch a cold."

Even holding his arm, she hadn't managed to avoid every puddle on the walking path, and she knew he felt a little guilty every time her sneakers had squished afterward. He let her go and she heard him head for the bathroom hall and open the closet that held all the towels. Beckett pulled off her jacket and hung it on the hook on the wall to dry, and then kicked her shoes off and reached down to take off her socks, leaving them all by the door. After that, she felt her way to the couch and sat down with a pleased sigh. It was a bit of an ordeal to be out walking around and not be able to see everything you could hear going on around you, but she was glad for the fresh air and even the rain. It was better than staying cooped up in her apartment and allowing herself to wallow in the ever-lingering fear that she'd never see the rain again – or anything else, for that matter. Before she had a chance to start mulling that possibility over and over in her mind, she heard him coming up behind her and felt him drape a towel over her head.

"Want some coffee?"

She nodded, pulling the towel off with a smile.

"That'd be nice. Want help?"

"Nope. Want lunch?"

"What are you making?"

"Grilled cheese and tomato soup?"

"That sounds good."

"Come keep me company…"

He took her hand, pulling her to her feet and tucked it firmly in his as he walked her across the room. Beckett got the impression that he wasn't holding her so much to guide her as to simply be holding her, and she was warmed by that realization. He got her settled on a barstool and stole a kiss before turning to the coffee pot.

"Cheddar or mozzarella?"

"Both."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ryan stretched, wondering if he should just call it a day. It was the weekend, after all, and he had a date later that evening. Staring at the computer all day – since he was grounded from actually going out on the streets until Esposito was back in the precinct from his medical leave – was making his eyes cross and his head hurt. Montgomery had gone home, telling him to call if he needed him, but aside from Esposito calling in once to check in and tell him just how boring Lanie's job was, no one else had been in touch.

With a sigh, he started to gather his things, but before he could stand up one of the other detectives called his name from the other side of the room.

"Hey, Ryan!"

"Yeah?"

"Vice just picked up one of the people from your watch list on that booby-trapped body."

"Really? For what?"

"He bought a gun from one of their undercover guys. They want to know what do you want them to do with him?"

Ryan stood up, reaching for his keyboard.

"What's his name?"

"Andrew Cradle."

A few keystrokes and he had a picture to go with the name.

"Tell them I want him in our interrogation room as soon as possible."

"Will do."

Ryan picked up his cell and called Esposito's number.

"Hey, Vice picked up one of our watch list guys. I told them to bring him down here. Think Lanie can come down and take a look at him and see if she knows him?"

"Yeah, we'll be right there."

He hung up and then called a couple other numbers. The first being his fiancé to let her know he might end up running just a little late, but he was still going to make their reservations and the other to call Beckett's cell.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Castle handed the buzzing phone over to Beckett, and took her empty bowl in exchange. She answered it, and he could see her posture straighten as whoever was on the other end started talking.

"We'll be right there," she said, and hung up.

"What was that?" he asked, curiously.

"Vice caught one of the guys on the watch list buying a gun."

"Seriously?"

"That's what Ryan said. He wanted to let me know that they're bringing him to our interrogation room."

She wouldn't be able to do the interrogation – she wouldn't even be able to watch – but she'd listen in on things and see if Lanie recognized the guy or not. It was obvious to Castle that she wanted to go and wanted to get there as soon as possible. He did, too.

"I'll get your shoes."