TALES FROM THE CITADEL

Inspired by the work and encouragement of Knight Rider Alpha I am going to try my hand at some one- shots and short stories written from prompts, all except this first one. It's my own. I don't belong to any social media sites so send any prompts through IM. Swordwriter

Disclaimer: Castle and the characters from the show are the property of Marlowe and ABC. None of the characters in this story are mine. I'm just borrowing them for a while.

Authors Note: A story set in season five between the time Kate and Castle start dating and their engagement. A particularly vicious series of rape-murders cause a joint investigation between Beckett's team and a team from the 14th precinct. A female detective shows a definite interest in Castle, which causes the green-eyed monster in Kate to come out and play.

Chapter One: You're mine

The 12th Precinct, Thursday morning

"Detective Beckett please bring your team into my office, you too Mr. Castle." Captain Gates said. Castle raised his eyebrows as if to say what now? Kate Beckett shrugged but gestured at the office. Becket, Castle, Esposito and Ryan entered the office. There were two other detectives in the office, a blond man in his mid-thirties and his partner a red-headed woman perhaps a decade younger. The man was average looking but the woman quite pretty.

Captain Gates made the introductions. Detective Jeff Bronson, Detective Melissa Taylor, I would like you to meet Detectives Katherine Beckett, Javier Esposito, Kevin Ryan and Civilian Consultant Richard Castle. They all shook hands.

Jeff Bronson said, "I already know Mr. Castle. How's it going Rick?" Castle smiled and said, "Pretty good Jeff how are Beverly and the kids? I haven't had a chance to visit, how long has it been, a couple of years at least?"

"More like five Rick."

"That long? Well I'll have to make it a point to get by some- time soon. How are Karen and Cindy?"

"They're doing pretty good except that Cindy's driving Karen nuts. Teen age girl feeling her oats," Jeff laughed. Karen's getting pay back for all the problems she caused Mom and Dad.

"Tell me about it. Alexis is just starting college."

Captain Gates snapped. "Social hour later people, we have work to do. The chief of detectives has asked up to team up with these detectives from the 14th. We have had a series of rape-murders and he wants the perpetrator caught soonest. Detective Bronson has the case files. Go into the conference room and get to work.

When they all had settled Detective Bronson started to explain the case passing out crime scene photos as he did so. They were photos of young women who appeared to be college age. All were nude, tied spread eagle to a bed with obvious evidence of torture before they were raped and murdered. Castle slammed his fist down on the table, obviously enraged. His normally sparkling blue eyes were cold and almost gray. "We have to catch this son of a bitch before he can do this again." Kate put a calming hand on his arm, rubbing it gently.

"We will Castle, We will."

Castle stood up. "Give me a few minutes, please. Look, why don't I go get coffee for everyone. How do you two take it?" He didn't bother to ask his team's orders he knew them by heart. Reagan asked for black and Baez asked for a mocha latte. After Castle left the room Esposito said, "Cut him a little slack will you, Little Castle is the same age as those girls and he's taking it hard. So am I. Alexis is like my niece. When we catch this guy one of you had better arrest him. I might just blow him away."

When Castle came back with the coffees he had visibly calmed down. He passed the coffee out handing Beckett hers first. She smiled and thanked him. Each of the others thanked him. Detective Taylor looked at him thoughtfully. She'd met him less than an hour before and was already strongly attracted to him. Of course part of the attraction was the Nikki Heat books. She'd read them but never expected to meet the author. Even in this poor setting he was exhibiting a powerful charisma. Could it be pheromones? She wondered.

Detective Taylor analyzed the dynamics of the team she was going to be working with. It was obvious what the partnerships were. Ryan and Esposito were seated next to each other as were Castle and Beckett. Taylor had never heard of a cop having a civilian partner before but she couldn't deny the fact. She wondered if they were more than partners. Especially after she was introduced she realized that Kate was the inspiration for Nikki Heat.

She was pulled out of her reverie by Jeff Bronson speaking. "This scumbag committed his first one that we know of three months ago, the second one two and a half months ago, the third two months ago. Jeff's voice was tight with anger. The fourth occurred a month and a half ago and the fifth a month ago. So if he sticks to his time table we have two weeks to catch him before he strikes again. As you can see from the crime scene photos the MO is the same in each case. He didn't try to hide who his victims were as ID was left at the scene. All the girls were pretty college students. One girl was from Columbia, two were from NSU, one from Barnard and one from Fordham."

Jeff paused to take a sip of coffee and then continued. "We've talked to their friends. None of them knew each other; none of them had the same major or competed in intermural sports. As far as we can tell the only things that they had in common were that they were college students and they were in really good shape, probably runners or swimmers. Another factor that the crimes have in common is that they were all killed on a late Friday night or an early Saturday morning."

Castle was frowning at the photos. Kate noticed and said, "Got something Castle?"

Castle looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't anyone notice the clothing? I know that it's tossed aside but they are all nice clothes, like they were dressed for a date or clubbing."

Melisa stood up and walked over beside Castle. A surprised look appeared on her face and she said, "You're right Castle. Oh crap how could I miss that? I should have noticed I really like to go clubbing." Kate's eyes narrowed, Melisa was standing a little too close to Castle and slanted her eyes toward him as she said it. At least Castle hadn't noticed it, his focus solely on the case.

They spent a hard day on the case with nothing new to go on except Castle's comment on the clothing. Danny said, "It's been a long day why don't we wrap it up. And head home." Castle spoke up. "Look, tomorrow's Friday. Why don't we all get together at my bar The Old Haunt?

Jeff, you can bring Beverly and ask Jack and Karen if they want to come, your dad too if he'll come slumming with the working cops and a writer." Jeff laughed, his eyes twinkling at the thought of getting together with an old friend and drinking his beer for free.

He clapped Castle on the shoulder. "That's a great idea Rick. Dad will probably show up even if it's only to get a glass of that thirty year old scotch you've got stashed."

Friday passed much as Thursday had. No new leads or fresh insights on the case. At 5:30 Jeff said; "Why don't we all knock off for the day. Hey Castle Beverly, Jack Karen and dad all said they'd be there. What time?"

Castle grinned, happy to have a chance to do something nice for his friends. "Make it about 7:30 and tell everyone to bring an appetite. I just had a grill installed. We'll have burgers and fries and I'll order some barbecue and hot wings. Tell Karen to bring a bib. I still remember the time she spilled that cup of barbecue sauce on her new blouse."

Jeff smirked. "Yeah and I also remember that you were looking exactly where that sauce landed pretty hard, Rick."

"Hey, I'm a guy can I help it if she's…" Kate glared at Rick at that comment. At least he knew when to shut up. Kate would never admit to being jealous but Rick had noticed the green-eyed monster trying to come out and play rather often lately.

The Old Haunt, Friday evening.

Castle and Kate arrived at the Old Haunt around six o'clock to get everything set up. Castle had already reserved two big booths for his party. The Old Haunt was already busy on a Friday night. It was a mix of patrons but a large percentage were cops. The Old Haunt had a reputation of being the premier cop bar in Manhattan although unlike some cop bars it was not unwelcoming to civilians. Castle went to talk to his bartender.

"Hey Brian it's going to be a big one tonight so I think you' better see if Chuck can back you up. I think that we're going to need Brenda and Robin in as well as Kelly to serve the drinks. On second thought, you better see if Pattie can bartend too. A pretty face behind the bar never hurts."

Brian grinned expecting a night of big tips. "You got it boss."

After Castle had bought the Old Haunt the bar had increased in popularity especially among cops and other first responders. Castle had bought the entire building and had the adjoining wall knocked down and expanded the bar adding an expanded grill, stage and a larger dance floor. Even with the expansion the bar tended to get crowded on Friday and Saturday nights

Kate knew that on a Friday night there would be plenty of hot young women in the bar plus probably a cougar or two and she also knew that they'd have no qualms about hitting on her boyfriend so she dressed accordingly. She wore a red silk dress that hugged her curves, the skirt revealing a lot of sleek toned leg. Black silk stockings and a pair of red killer heels completed the outfit.

Castle wore a pair of black slacks, a black silk dress shirt and Luchese western boots. In doing research for one of his Derek Storm novels he'd acquired a taste for western boots and had several pair of them. Most of the others just wrote it off to a millionaire's eccentricity, not realizing how comfortable the hand- made boots were.

Their friends arrived promptly at 7:30. No fashionably late people in this bunch. Several cops sitting at the bar stared in surprise as the Chief of Detectives strolled through the door. Tom Bronson walked right up to Castle and shook his hand.

"It's been too long Rick we've missed you at the house." Rick nodded. "Yes it has Tom but I've been busy and I guess I've been embarrassed I was out of the country when Mary died and I missed the funeral. Furthermore I never liked Hines."

Karen Bronson Hines laughed as she walked up and hugged Rick, kissing his cheek. "That's a lame excuse Rick I've been divorced from Sam quite a while now." Karen Hines was a strikingly beautiful woman, wearing a translucent green blouse and black dress pants. Although she knew that the Bronson's were old friends she barely suppressed the flare of jealousy when Karen kissed Castle. Lanie caught the look on Kate's face and smirked. Oh ho, girlfriend you're not just dating the guy you've got it bad. You're so in love with him. I want details.

Introductions were made all around Chief Bronson came over to Kate. "Detective Beckett it's a pleasure to meet you. One of the best detective's on the force. Your closure rate is outstanding." Kate blushed and then smiled. "It's not all me, Sir it's my team and I must say that Castle's a big part of that."

The chief chuckled. "So I've heard Detective. Well, you take good care of Rick. I've known him for a long time. He's very special to our family." The chief turned to Rick. "I'd better have that drink now Rick. I'd love to stay for burgers but I've got a political dinner to attend."

The party was in full swing food and beer sharing space on the table, and lots of laughter both and jokes and a few stories told about younger versions of the people at the table, especially some of Jeff's and Rick's antics. Kate's temperature started to rise when Jeff started in on the sauce on the blouse incident. He laughed and said; "I never did figure out if that really was an accident or if Karen was trying to get Rick to look at her boobs."

"Jeff!" an outraged Karen screeched. Then she laughed. "Rick never needed encouragement to look at a girl's boobs. He's even signed a few." Kate was really starting to get annoyed at the turn the conversation was taking. She didn't need any reminders of Castle's past proclivities. She leaned over and hissed in his ear; "The only boobs you'd better be looking at from here on in are mine, at least bare ones!"

She settled in to the booth at Castle's side, her hand resting on his thigh, sub-consciously stroking it. Karen had no trouble at all spotting Kate's passiveness and grinned. It's about time Rick you need a good woman and you need to stay off page six. Karen had dated Castle briefly. It hadn't gone anywhere but they had fun. Still he was an old and trusted friend and she wanted good things for him.

Kate was relieved that Detective Taylor hadn't shown up. Maybe she had a hot date. Her relief was short-lived. About ten minutes later Melisa Taylor strolled into the room wearing a pair of skinny jeans that looked like they were painted on and a low cut black satin blouse.

She went over to the bar and ordered a Mojito and flirted with a couple of the patrol officers from the 12th. That didn't last long and she drifted over to the booth and sat down on the other side of Castle from Kate. She put a hand on his arm and smiled s slow seductive smile. "Pretty good party ya got going her Castle She said, pretty nice bar." She gave him a sly look. "I like the scenery too." Unusually for Castle, normally the master of innuendo, he seemed oblivious to Taylor's comment.

"Yeah, I spent a lot of money getting a decorator to find furnishings to match the original style." While Castle seemed to be oblivious, Kate sure as hell wasn't. Lanie wasn't either. Knowing her tells Lanie could see that Kate was starting to lose her temper. Lanie called out;

"Hey Writer-Boy get off that cute ass of yours and get the band going. I want to dance and I know Kate and Jenny do too." Karen hadn't missed the byplay either. "Yeah Rick, what she said."

Castle got up and shot back; "That's Writer-Man, Lanie and I'll get the music going but with those ridiculous heels you're wearing be careful how you shake your booty you might land right on it!" Laughing, Lanie wadded up a napkin and threw it at Castle. "That'll be the day. I could wear stilts and dance you right off the floor!" Castle laughed at the sassy retort and got the band on stage.

Kate was out of the booth and in Castle's arms as soon as the music started. She was tired of low key and was making a bold statement right there. If Gates found out, at this point she didn't care. Gates might try to Kick Castle out of the precinct but she didn't have the horsepower to do it. Not with Castle's friendship with the mayor and with the chief of detectives complimenting Kate and telling her to take care of Rick.

Kate's blood was up and she put on an exhibition that night. Not in a bad way. Her eyes sparkled and those long legs flashed as she danced. Danced her passion, her love and need of this man. Esposito and Ryan, even Lanie looked on in awe. Jeff and Jack whistled and Karen clapped.

Other dancers got up and joined them, of course. Lanie jumped up and grabbed Esposito and they hit the floor. Lanie wasn't at all sure that she could carry out her boast. Jenny and Ryan were more subdued but Jeff and Beverly really cut loose. Castle and Kate danced five straight songs before taking a break. They collapsed into the booth panting and laughing. Castle signaled Brian for two beers. After they each took long draughts of their beer, Castle said; "Not that I'm complaining Kate but what happened to reserved detective Beckett?" Kate smirked. "Remember wild child Becks you heard about? Well that silly twit tried to make a move on her man. And she came out to play." Kate got a serious, even fierce look on her face.

"I grew up an only child. I never learned to share very well. I love you Rick and when we get home tonight I'm going to show you how much. You're mine Rick, no one else's, mine!"

The drinking and dancing continued on and Kate calmed down somewhat. Lanie and Jenny danced with Castle while Kate danced with Esposito and Ryan. Karen wanted one dance with Castle but she went to Kate first and sought her approval. Kate smiled at that and nodded, happy to see her claim acknowledged. The two times that Melisa tried to approach Kate shot her such a glare that she gave up the attempt.

The loft, Saturday morning

Castle woke up Saturday morning, unable to move easily. There was a warm body sprawled on top of his, a face framed by chestnut colored curls pressed against his chest, soft breaths tickling his throat. Kate had definitely shown him how much she loved him. More than once. He caressed her naked back, awed that this beautiful woman was in love with him. He felt her stir and realized that she was waking. She slowly opened her eyes and a soft smile touched her lips.

"Morning Babe." She whispered.

"Good morning beautiful, he replied are you ready for breakfast? " She shook her head.

"No, I'm comfortable right here I don't want to move just yet I like my living pillow right where he is for a few more minutes." She lay there for another ten minutes then said;

"Ugh, I smell like sex. So do you. I'm going to shower while you make coffee. Then you shower while I start breakfast." Castle grinned. "What's wrong with smelling like sex?" She huffed. "Nothing, for a little while but while your mother and daughter probably realize that we're having sex I don't want to give them olfactory proof first thing in the morning!" She got a little annoyed as she could hear him laughing all the way to the kitchen.

The 12th Precinct, Monday morning.

Lanie was waiting for Kate as she walked into the precinct. She had some new information on the three victims that she wanted to share. "Girlfriend, that's not a nice thing to do to a friend!"

"What's not a nice thing to do?" Kate asked.

Lanie smirked. "Walk in with that smug I just got laid look on your face." For once Kate wasn't shy or embarrassed about it. "Well I just did get laid and I'm very happy about it. What's wrong with that?" '"Nothing's wrong with it, except when I didn't. Lanie griped. Speaking of that, since you're the layee, where's the layer?"

Kate was starting to blush. "Lanie there's no such word as layee and Castle's a few minutes behind because the bear claws weren't ready yet. A few minutes later Castle walked in holding a bag with their bear claws in it and two coffees. Following him were two delivery boys one carrying a huge box of pastries and the other a large container of coffee. A stack of cups and a bag with sweeteners and creamers.

"What are we celebrating Castle?" Karpowski called out.

"Nothing, Karpowski, Castle said, just some of you had duty Friday night so I thought this might compensate."

Castle heard an unmistakable voice behind him. "It's a start Mr. Castle, now would you and Detective Beckett please step into my office?" Castle exchanged looks with Kate and they clasped hands as they entered Gates's office.

"Close the door Mr. Castle." Gates said. Gates chuckled at the worried looks on both Castle and Kate's faces. "Relax Detective I'm not about to kick Mr. Castle out of my precinct and damage my most effective homicide team. Did both of you really think I was that oblivious that I couldn't see what was going on between you two? Besides, the rule about partners in a relationship doesn't really apply here as Mr. Castle is not an employee of NYPD. I will, however require you to maintain a professional demeanor in the precinct and at crime scenes. At least keep the PDA's to a minimum. Now get out of here so I can get one of those pastries before the vultures eat them all!"

Actually when detectives Bronson and Taylor walked in fifteen minutes later there were still enough pastries for them to have a choice and a few cups of coffee left in the container. When they started their morning briefing Lanie sat in. "I have some new information that may help. Castle's idea about clubbing triggered my memory about clubs. Some of them use a stamp that glows under black light as a return pass. I re-examined our latest victim under black light.

She had a stamp from the Amore Eternal club." Jeff Bronson stood up and paced for a moment. "I have an idea. We need to re-interview the victim's friends. Beckett, you and castle head out to NSU and interview the girls there. Taylor and I will take the other two.

Actually Lanie's clue was a major step forward. After talking the other four victim's friends it was established that all five victims frequented Amore Eternal. They still had no leads to the killer other than he probably chose his victims at the club.

Taylor suddenly spoke up. "Decoy, we use a decoy. Send somebody into the club as bait. We get a rookie fresh out of the academy, dress her up and send her in." We have a few teams in place posing as clubbers. If someone picks her up or follows her we tail them. We might have to try it a few times with a couple of different officers but it could work."

Jeff looked thoughtful then said; "Good idea Taylor, I'll run it by Sarge and Captain Gates and see if they approve." Both superiors approved the idea and a planning session was called with Captain Gates and Sergeant Jensen attending.

"It's your idea Taylor, run with it." Jeff said. Detective Taylor looked around the table and said; "All the victims patronized this one club so it's a high probability that our perp made contact there or followed them from the club. I'll want to get two or three young rookies, dress them like the victims were dressed and put them in the club with four or five officers inside. If our perp takes the bait we'll follow and take him when he grabs the girl."

"One problem with that, Jeff said, is at that point all we have him on is assault. We'll have to tail him to the place he's using and take him as soon as he's in the room."

"That's damn dangerous for the girl." Castle pointed out.

"So far all the vics have been found in hot pillow motels within a mile's radius of the club. He's used a different motel each time. We'll have eyes on each motel in the area as well as the tail unit." Jeff said.

Gates looked at Jeff and said; "Okay who do we put in the club?" Taylor said;

"We can't use Jeff his face has been on TV a lot lately, same goes for Beckett. We'll put Esposito in with Detective Karpowski if you can bring her in Captain. I can borrow Jeff's brother Jack and his partner Tessa Randle, Ryan and Crandall from vice And I'll go in with Castle."

Kate was instantly angry. "No way Tylor, first of all he's not a cop, secondly he's MY partner, third his face is more well- known than Bronson's and mine put together."

"Yes it is and his playboy reputation can work to our advantage. No one will think I'm a cop if I'm with Castle. He's known to be shadowing you. No way he would date another cop." Taylor said with a smug look on her face.

Gate's had the grace to look embarrassed but said; "As much as I hate to say it, detective Beckett she's got a very good point. It's good role camouflage. I can't order you to do it Mr. Castle but I think it will help the plan."

Castle had a distressed look on his face. He really wanted to do it, it appealed to his sense of adventure, going undercover on an operation. But obviously Kate flat hated the idea.

"May I have a few minutes to talk it over with my partner?" Castle asked. "By all means Mr. Castle." Gates replied.

Kate and Castle stepped into an interrogation room. "What do you think Kate? I think they're right I could really help." Kate rolled her eyes. "You already know what I think. One, it's dangerous. Two, do you really think I'm okay with my boyfriend being in a club with a little hottie even if she is a cop and it's duty related? No I don't like the scenario at all but I do see the logic in it. So I'll approve it. Just remember, I've got a gun. Remember what they say in a Mexican restaurant, the plate is hot, you don't want to get burned. No sampling the fajitas."

They returned to the conference room and Kate looked around the table. "Okay we'll do it. Detective Taylor may I speak with you a moment?" They left the room and Kate pulled Taylor into an alcove. Glaring at her she said; "I've seen the looks you've been giving Castle and I don't like it. There may not be a ring on my finger…yet but he's my man and I don't share. So don't even think about playing in a park that's not yours."

Friday night, the Amore Eternal club

The club was really jumping that night. Claire Rawlings, one of the decoys was dancing up a storm each dance with a different partner. She was a fresh faced blonde with a stunning figure, just a month out of the academy. Rick had scanned the tables quickly spotting Esposito, Ryan and Jamie. The management had been advised of the situation and had agreed to some changes for the night. The bartender was a robbery detective who actually moonlighted as a bartender so while the drinks he served the team looked like cocktails but were non-alcoholic.

The bouncers were LT and Vincent, patrol officers from the 12th. Taylor and castle were currently sitting in a booth watching the floor. Castle was in the same outfit he'd worn for the party and to Taylor he looked smoking hot. She wore a tight fitting, low cut blouse in poison green and a matching skirt that ended mid- thigh. She made sure to lean over the table several times to make sure that Castle had a good view of her lace covered breasts.

She snuggled up to Castle. When he pulled away, she grasped his arm and said; "We're supposed to be a couple Ricky try to act like it." Castle was getting more uncomfortable by the minute. At least she hadn't tried to kiss him. A slow number came up. Taylor stood up.

She said; "Come on Ricky dance with me. Then sotto voice she said; make it look good." As they danced she pressed up against him, grinding her body against his. As much as he loved Kate he couldn't control what is known as an involuntary response to stimuli. Taylor felt it and grinned to herself. Maybe I'll get what I want, tonight!" Taylor wasn't a bad person or even immoral but her standards were different than Kate's. She wouldn't go after a married man or even an engaged one but if he was only dating someone, she figured that he was fair game.

She was trying to maneuver him into a dark area where she could kiss him when fate intervened on Kate's side. Castle's phone beeped three times, the signal that Rawlings was leaving the club and that someone was following her. Damn it why now? I almost had him.

She hadn't, really but her ego wouldn't admit that. They exited the club to find Beckett and Jeff waiting for them in Kate's unmarked Dodge Charger. They climbed in and the radio came on. "We have eyes on the suspect he's following Rawlings. Suspect has grabbed Rawlings has a cloth over her face. Rawlings is limp, suspect is placing her in a van. There was a pause. Suspect vehicle is headed west on 89th New York License GUD BUOY1*. There was another pause. Suspect vehicle is entering the All Nighter*motel. Another pause. Suspect is carrying Rawlings into room 15.

Jeff picked up the radio microphone. "All units converge on the All Nighter motel." The parking lot quickly filled up with police vehicles and an ambulance. Two SWAT officers carrying a breaching device approached the door. Jeff called out. "New York Police department."

The SWAT officers smashed the door open. Rawlings was sprawled on the bed her ripped up skirt and blouse on the floor. The suspect was holding a very large survival style knife.

"Stand back or I swear I'll cut her throat he screamed."

"No you won't you son of a bitch." Jeff said and his Glock roared twice. The paramedics rushed into the room. One of them went to Rawlings and checked her vital signs. The other one knelt by the suspect writhing on the floor. He looked up. "This son of a bitch will live but he'll not be walking for a long time and he'll need prosthesis to pee through."

Saturday afternoon, Castle's loft.

A very happy and very naked Kate Beckett lay in bed beside an equally naked Castle, their brunch plates sitting on the night stand. A soft smile spread across her face. She giggled. "Sated, fed and sated again Mister Castle. Now I have one question for you. When are you going to make me Missus Castle?"

Author's note: * The starred items are strictly out of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to a real license plate or business is strictly coincidental. Reviews are appreciated. And please let me know if you want me to go with the prompt series.

Swordwriter