Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Family, Humor

Rating: M for sexual situations and language

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters featured on the show Castle, they belong to the creator of the show, ABC and the others who do own them.

A/N #1: With it being Christmas for some readers I was definitely happy to get the feedback I did for the last chapter, so I'll go into my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (It was great seeing you thought the last chapter was very good writing. And of course I'm so, so pleased you liked the songs that I picked, I love them both so I wanted to include them somehow!),

Guest (It was really nice reading that you're enjoying the story. And it meant a lot to see you think I have a gift capturing Castle and Beckett as both a loving couple and parents, I always thought they could be both. And I am so, so happy that you think my original characters are vibrant, really glad you also think they've become canon as much as the show's characters have. It's my goal so to see I've reached it I was overjoyed! You're welcome for the Caskett stories! And it was great to know you do read and look forward to them, that you think they're special stories that keep the special characters alive since I always thought the show could have lasted for so much longer! You're welcome for the chapter and story. And Merry Christmas to you and yours!) and

Mb (Glad to read you thought that it was a nice set up chapter. And I'm not surprised that you were thinking of Clue with the dinner, lol, it's funny you mentioned that since I just watched my copy of that movie a couple days ago. Anyways, I'm also not surprised you're wondering if the case is more than it seems. With your wondering about Tyson, that makes sense really since he's still around of course. And yeah, it would seem Brenton could be a follower though of course I'll have to let the story answer your wondering about him in the end. And don't worry, you've mentioned Tyson in reviews before so I'm not surprised you're wondering about him really with concerns to this guy with how he's been so far. I'll say it again, I wasn't surprised that you mentioned the local legends about the ghosts from the battle being the reason for the attacks or a cover story for a distraction, that would definitely happen when there's legends like that. And I'm so happy you're looking forward to the mystery unfolding. You're welcome for the first half, and don't worry, it's not rambling, I see it as trying to figure things out which I've done myself plenty of times! Really nice to read you thought the second half was a sweet update too. I'm so glad you're still loving the flashbacks about Castle and Beckett. I had to laugh at you being so happy that the empty nesters took advantage of their empty house, lol, but I'm not surprised you did. And you're right, they won't have to worry about them becoming boring, I never really thought they would. So I'm glad you mentioned love and passion has always and will always be there, as you said, between Castle and Beckett! Really pleased you loved how the girls both past and present wanted Castle and Beckett dancing at a part or just with them in their house. And I though it was nice you thought that it was loving and sexy as well! No surprise you're curious about the attacks, or that you think weird is a good description about what they've gotten about the attacks/case so far. You're very welcome for sharing the second half! Thank you so much. And a very Happy New Year to you and yours and I hope this new one will give you plenty of joy and good health too!).

Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading all of them and I definitely appreciate the time taken to write them out and send them my way!

A/N #2: The title of this chapter is a lyric from the song Cry Baby Cry by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, from The Beatles' eponymous album.

At The Local Bird And Bee

As she was lowering the towel from her face, Beckett smiled at her husband's reflection in the mirror and said, "I had a feeling you'd wait for me to get dressed." She paused when she realized the expression on his face and asked, "What's wrong."

Castle didn't say anything, reaching for his wife and taking her arm. He waited for her to set down her towel before he pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her as soon as she was close. He didn't give her time to say anything, lowering his lips to hers and kissing her hard. When he felt her arms wrapping around him he was relieved, knowing she was okay with that and he couldn't help becoming more insistent.

"Oh… I should have… expected this," Beckett gasped when they parted from a second kiss to breathe. Her husband had moved down to her neck and she closed her eyes tightly to take in the way each touch of his lips was setting off a tingle of pleasure over her skin. Eventually she realized he was pulling away and she smiled before saying, "But I let myself forget it when we started getting ready."

"You really shouldn't have," Castle said seriously. He felt a thrill through his body at her laughter and he leaned down, brushing his lips to hers again. When he pulled away he said, "You're gorgeous."

Smiling Beckett squeezed her arms a little bit tighter around him and then said, "I want you." She wasn't surprised to see him slightly confused and she smiled again telling him, "You look… like a Sheik," after hesitating for a moment.

Castle gathered her even closer in his arms so he could kiss her passionately and hold her as well. When they stopped that time he kept his lips closer to hers and said, "I fucking adore you."

"I want to feel you with me love," Beckett said seriously.

Hesitating for a moment, Castle then moved so he could pick his wife up, carrying her out to the bedroom though he stopped in the middle to set her down. "What do you want?" he asked before he was startled at her shaking her head with a smile.

"What do you want?" Beckett said easily. "You came to me wanting this," she reminded him when she could tell that he was going to protest.

Realizing he couldn't insist she decide, Castle glanced around the room before he walked away from her and went to an armoire. He grabbed a spare sheet from there and hurried to the table that was near one of the windows. Covering one of the two chairs there, he nearly jumped when he felt a hand on his back before he turned to his wife, seeing she'd approached him. "What's wrong?" he asked in slight concern at how serious her expression was.

Beckett shook her head before she was wrapping her arms around her husband again and they were kissing roughly. She wasn't shocked feeling his hands slipping under her pajama shirt but didn't stop dueling against his tongue before they had to breathe. They stared into each other's eyes and she reached for the bottom of her shirt, pulling it off. She was a little surprised that they were soon undressing themselves but didn't bother to comment on it, wanting her clothes out of the way. As soon as they were she was throwing her arms around Castle, feeling him stagger though he recovered quickly as they were kissing passionately. It took a little time for them to stop before she smiled as he nuzzled her ear through her hair.

"Goddess," Castle breathed. "Ba mhaith liom tú a thiomána dom," he said.

"Pervert," Beckett said with a smile as he'd said he wanted her to ride him. She bit her lower lip for a moment and then said, "Ba mhaith liom go mbraitheann tú go domhain orm," which meant she wanted to feel him deep in her. She expected him to react but when her husband merely moved to get on the chair she was quick to follow him, straddling him though she kept herself above him.

Reaching up as he held her with one hand, Castle gently ran his fingers through her hair and said, "Is this going to be fast?"

"I can't go as fast as you," Beckett said, knowing he was deciding that.

"I'll still be happy," Castle said, moving his hand from her hair to her breast. He gently cupped the left one and said firmly, "Extremely happy."

"So will I," Beckett said, waiting for him to move to take himself in hand. Once he had she was lowering herself with his help and she gasped in pleasure as he groaned once the tip of him entered her. She didn't stop until they were fully coupled and she kept her eyes closed tightly as she did her best to get used to the sensation. Before she could realize that she was ready to move, her husband was bowing his head and she let out a light gasp in response before he was beginning to kiss around her breasts.

When he could, Castle was taking one of her nipples with his mouth, suckling at her and listening to his wife reacting to him. He glanced up at her every so often and could feel his desire rising at the way she had her head tilted back, her hair spilling down her back. He finally made himself stop before he moved and then kissed her as she was lowering her head to his. He slipped his tongue into her mouth the second he could and they were soon curled around each other, rubbing as much as they could move before they were slowly parting. "Move my love," he said seriously.

Before he had even finished speaking, Beckett pushed her body up and down using her feet that were on the ground. She gasped as her husband groaned and did her best not to stop as she was setting up a rhythm. Since she had the leverage of her feet she could control her speed and found she could go relatively fast. But after a while she stopped, instead wrapping her legs the best she could around the front legs of the chair, rocking her body against her husband's.

"Fuck… love," Castle groaned heavily in pleasure as she was pressing her sex in a certain way on his erection. He was holding her by her hips while she was doing that and he wondered how long they could last as she was moving again.

Beckett could feel her husband's delight in her faster pace at that moment, his grip on her tight and she had to kiss him. She had already been holding onto him when they'd started but moved her hands from his shoulders up to his head. She slid her palms over the back of his neck; as she knew he loved; and then went to his hair. Gently, still pushing herself up and down hard, she ran her fingernails over his scalp and was overjoyed to hear his lingering groan of pleasure. She was tempted to stop completely but moved so she was rocking against him again. She leaned back then, putting enough space in between herself and her husband to allow her to place her hands on his chest. She wasn't sure why she stopped completely at that point, but she was happy she had since it allowed her to caress his chest before he was gasping out a question to her.

"Are you sure you should do that?" Castle managed to say.

"What? Stop or this?" Beckett said, referring to the fact that she was starting to caress his nipples as well. She wasn't surprised when her husband suddenly stopped her and wrapped his arms around her to pull her against his chest. Since she was slightly above him being on top of him she had to initiate the kiss though she didn't really mind. They were quick to begin tangling their tongues around each other and she was running her fingers through his hair before they soon parted and she smiled at him. "Too much?" she asked, caressing his hair.

"Yes," Castle replied. He then held her more securely against his body before he tried thrusting against her and was slightly successful. "Not enough," he said, his voice obviously strained.

Beckett leaned down and gently brushed her lips to his before she waited for him to lightly loosen his grip. As soon as he had she was moving again, pushing up and down with her feet. They were groaning out loud at the same time and she was pleased he was feeling the same as her though the thought was soon lost as he was reaching for her. She wondered if she should comment on the fact he was grasping her ass but since she had to focus on her pace she was silent. That ended when his right hand was firmly slapping at her and she cried out in surprise before he was pushing her as she'd stopped.

"Damn it, sorry," Castle breathed. "I thought you were still going to move. Too much?"

"Smart ass," Beckett said before their lips were meeting together a second later. They were grasping one another tightly at that point and didn't stop until they'd run out of breath during their multiple kisses. She couldn't help smiling at him with swollen lips and said, "Should we continue?"

"Yes but I really would like not to stop," Castle said seriously. He moved then and bowed his head, kissing at her breasts before he moved to her lips, kissing her briefly. As she started to move on him again he grasped her by her hips and did his absolute best to move with her before she was stopping and rolling her hips. "Fuck… Kate you're a… goddess," he groaned, doing his best to withstand what she was making him feel.

"Do you… want to… take me to… the, the bed?" Beckett gasped out to her husband as she started moving in an up and down moment.

"No, you can finish us off love," Castle told her seriously, trying not to stumble over his words as everything was building within him. He reached up to her and cupped her left breast in his hand, rubbing the nipple with his thumb before he lowered his head.

Beckett faltered at that point, and though she didn't want to she stopped she did and watched him as he suckled at both of her breasts. She could feel her sex throbbing rapidly and she was soon stopping him, making him pull away before she said, "I can't if you don't let me."

A little confused for a moment, Castle then realized what he'd said before and he told her as seriously as he could, "I can't resist you."

"I can't either," Beckett said just before she started pushing herself up and down again. She closed her eyes tightly as he was moving with her though at first they were a little off. She reached down to his side and touched him until he was steady with her and they were kissing again. She lost track of how long it took until she broke, only aware she was going to when it happened. She felt an intensity within her body that became ecstasy and she was calling his name in joy before he was grabbing her hips hard and calling her name a few times. She felt the throb in her body traveling up to her breasts and she nearly broke a second time before she could feel herself slowing down. When she stopped she tried to continue to move but soon fell slightly against her husband as he continued to try to move before he was limp underneath her which made her kiss the side of his head a few times.

Breathing out heavily Castle said, "I'm sure it sounds corny but that feels like it gets better." He could see the expression on his wife's face and said, "What?"

"Every time?" Beckett asked. When her husband; looking perplexed; nodded she smiled and leaned down to kiss him briefly. "You stopped at a weird place," she then explained to him.

"Oh…" Castle said before he then hugged her tightly. After they'd parted he said, "I didn't want to go full out sappy."

"Hmm," Beckett said, gently running her fingers through his hair so she could rake her nails through his scalp lightly. "There's a reason I called you that back then."

"I know, but it was sap; not sappy," Castle pointed out. He laughed when she pinched his side and was about to ask what she wanted to do next when she spoke first.

"Either way," Beckett said simply before she smirked. "You've been wanting to do this for a while haven't you?"

"I have," Castle said, glancing at the table behind her.

Looking at it over her shoulder as well, Beckett couldn't help smiling and said, "I guess next is that." She quickly put her fingers over her husband's lips and told him, "I'd like it."

"Good," Castle said, though it was muffled by her fingers.

Beckett laughed softly as she moved her hand away before she was startled by his groan. "Sorry," she said with a slight smile as he was looking up at her once he'd recovered.

"Yeah we… do we need to get ready?" Castle asked.

"We should, I'm sure everyone's going to head downstairs as well," Beckett replied, getting off him reluctantly. She cupped his cheek before she waited for him to stand and she watched him take the sheet off the chair. "What about the table?"

Pausing and then turning to his wife, Castle could tell that she was serious so he said, "I'll get a new one for you."

"Tonight," Beckett said.

Startled at how firmly she'd spoken, Castle knew she was serious so he breathed out and tossed aside the sheet on an armchair before going over to her. He wrapped his arm around her and said, "You want me again already?"

Since her husband was cupping her breast as he'd spoken, Beckett took a moment to respond before she could finally say, "Of course… I wish you could tell as easily I can with you."

"Yes it's…" Castle started to say. He trailed off when he saw his wife's gaze go down to his erection that was still firmly against his stomach and he said, "Yeah… so… shower?"

"Come on," Beckett said, stepping away from him so she could take his hand they could walk briskly to the shower. She reached the shower stall door first since she was in the lead and gasped as her husband was letting go of her hand so he could cup his hands over her breasts. "Rick," she said, biting her lower lip as he was gently massaging her mounds. "Rick… I need to… to get into the… we need to get into the shower," she stammered as one of his hands drifted down to her sex. When he cupped her mound she reached down to grab his hand saying, "Stop, please I want to go inside before we do anything else."

"Sure," Castle said, stepping away from her so she could open the door. "I couldn't resist you."

"I know, but thank you for stopping… for the moment," Beckett told him before she slid into the shower rapidly.

Castle, watching where she'd just been, was a little startled before she stepped into the doorway of the shower stall.

"Stuck?" Beckett asked him, trying not to smile. "Come in or I'll have to pull you by your cock." She wasn't surprised when his eyes widened and she did smile that time, though she was quickly moving, reaching for his length and wrapping her hand around it. When he moved before she could gently tug at his erection she smiled widely at him before he came inside and she let him go. After he'd closed the door following them she was going to the water controls, turning on the hot one before she turned to find he was with her. "Oh!" she breathed out when she found her back against the wall.

"I can't resist you," Castle repeated, speaking seriously. He leaned down before his wife could say anything and kissed her, doing so sensuously instead of roughly. He lingered with her for as long as he dared before carefully pulling away and whispering against her lips, "Let me bathe you Kate."

Beckett was a little startled by the wording of the request but she had no problems with it before she let him lead her back to the water. When she found out what he'd meant exactly by bathing she realized she should have either responded with a yes or a simple nod of her head. Castle began washing her body with a washcloth and he did so very deliberately but what could also be called nearly delicately. She found she was aroused again and she did her best not to moan as her breasts and sex were aching the lower he got on her. She was a little disappointed when he moved to her stomach after her breasts but she couldn't complain as he moved lower and lower and gently. She was relieved when he finished with her feet and she was about to reach for another washcloth when he stopped her to her surprise.

Castle reached for his wife, intending to kiss her as he found he desperately needed to, when she was stopping him suddenly. He wasn't all that surprised when she was reaching for the other washcloth and proceeded to wash him as he'd done to her. He was greatly enjoying it; since she was meticulous as he'd been; but when she slowed down at his member he realized that he was too close. "Kate," he breathed out heavily in joy though trying to make it a warning so she would stop. He failed miserably and he had no idea when she stopped using the washcloth and her hand was all over him. He came with a brief shout of her name, holding himself up the best he could and hoping that when he stopped she wouldn't be in the state he thought she might have planned herself to be in. When he'd finally calmed down he opened his eyes and groaned in frustration as he immediately saw what she'd done.

"Every time…" Beckett said in amusement, grasping him with her left hand then before she used the fingers of the other to gather his release to clean it off.

"Yeah… I don't really… you…" Castle tried saying as he watched her licking her fingers as she was gently pulling on his length. He did his best not to jump at her when she'd gotten everything off her but couldn't help pushing her back against the wall. He made sure not to hurt her in doing that and feeling her responding to his kiss he knew she was fine. He was touching her body where he could and tried to be satisfied with that as they delved into several kisses but finally couldn't take it anymore. He pulled away from her and before she could say anything he was going to her breasts.

Beckett cried out in surprise as her husband was suckling at her right nipple before his left hand came up to gently pinch and roll the taut nub there with his fingers. Her nails were raking over the back of his head before he switched breasts. When he'd been working on them for a while she was literally weak in the knees and she almost deliriously begged him, "Fuck me love, please."

Overjoyed at her words, Castle crushed her lips under his before he was picking her up and leaning her against the wall. From her tone of voice he knew what she wanted and as soon as he slid inside of her he was thrusting hard and rapidly while they were kissing. He knew they were kissing shortly but couldn't help himself as he was making sure he was pleasuring her as much as she'd done for him. When they orgasmed they were nearly in unison and he was clutching at her tightly until they were slowing down. "Kate…" he breathed in joy when he felt a little stronger.

Cupping his face with her hands Beckett waited for him to help her down before she was wrapping her arms around his neck and they were kissing. When they parted she was smiling before she said, "I love you Rick."

"I love you," Castle breathed before he brushed his lips against hers. When they'd parted he murmured, "Always," before they kissed again and far deeper. He knew he wasn't going to be able to stop, kissing her or holding her body tightly against his before they slowly parted. He was gentle in getting her to the water with him and they rinsed off as they kissed a few more times. Once they'd stopped he turned off the water, letting her step out first as he knew she wanted to get going before they were too late for dinner. He couldn't help himself though and as they were in the closet to grab their clothes he was kissing her again. He gently rubbed his tongue against hers a few times before they were stopping and he let her dress while he did the same.

"I still saw you," Beckett commented once they were fully dressed.

"I can't help it; you're right there," Castle replied as he'd been sneaking glances at her the entire time she was putting everything on.

"Pervert," Beckett said easily. When he frowned she smiled and went over to him so they could share a gentle kiss. After they'd parted they went to the bathroom to finish preparing for the day so they could leave their room; doing so hand in hand.

"Good morning," Brenton Elliston said as Castle and Beckett reached the stairs.

Beckett squeezed her husband's hand as he visibly tensed next to her and they both murmured a good morning back to the man before they started down the stairs. When they were going down the man started to call to her and she was afraid of needing to say something else to him before Skye was calling to them from the first floor.

"Good morning," the investigator said. "We were just about to eat."

Castle wanted to tell the woman about their desire to speak with the two men from the night before but knew they couldn't with Brenton behind them. He glanced behind them at the man passing them before he turned to the investigator to tell her then when she was speaking first as she held up her hand to stop them.

"I noticed he hadn't come down yet," Skye said in Irish before she was walking next to them. "I wanted to make sure that you were alright."

"The real reason you met us?" Beckett asked in English with a smile.

Pausing with them Skye said, "You know me too well. I wondered if you might like to talk with the two men at all, now they've had time to sleep."

"We were thinking the same," Castle said. "But what about Brennan? And Mercer for that matter."

"I've talked to him already," Skye said, nodding with her head in the direction of the dining room. "And he can't really today, he needs to check on the horses."

"But we could," Castle was quick to say. "Couldn't we?"

"We could," Beckett replied with a smile. "But it would be in the context of checking on them you know. I'm not sure if Mercer would want us to really be investigating without him."

"Usually they don't," Castle commented absently.

"Flashbacks to the Hamptons?" Skye asked with a slight smile on her face.

"Of course," Castle said. "But I'm happy enough checking on them."

"I think we should," Skye said as she and Beckett shared a look.

"Are you thinking of walking over there for lunch?" she asked the investigator. After she nodded Beckett then said, "Mary should come along too."

"I've already asked her and she agreed. Let's hope everyone's there," Skye said before they went into the dining room so they could have their breakfast.

"Are you sure?" Clara asked Beckett as she was taking Arthur back from her.

"I know my husband hasn't been satisfied leaving things as they were last night," Beckett replied simply.

"And you?" Clara said, her eyebrow raised slightly.

Smiling briefly as she held her hand out to Arthur, Beckett then said, "I feel the same but I know it's been bothering him."

"How much has it?" Skye asked in Russian as she'd entered the room. When she saw the way her friend was staring at her she smirked slightly and then said, "I could tell this morning when I saw you two," in the same language.

"We'd like to know there isn't someone running around harming people," Beckett said, knowing that was all the investigator would say about that.

"I thought the idea was the attacker was going after the elderly?" Clara asked them in confusion.

"I'm not so sure about that," Beckett replied.

"Neither am I," Skye said. "But since there hasn't been anything else… we'll just check on the lads."

"You should tell them you said that about them," Brennan said as he walked into the room. "They'll be thrilled at that."

"Are you heading out now?" Clara asked her husband.

"I am," Brennan replied, looking to the doorway of the room as Castle and Mary had walked up to it.

Beckett and Skye went to their spouses to allow the couple to kiss each other goodbye before they were leaving with Brennan.

"Anything important with the horses today?" Skye asked.

"Oh no, just a normal check and cleaning a few stalls… again perfectly normal," Brennan replied. "Now if you do go to the Squire for sure let me know how Gerry and Basil are and please tell them I'll stop for a pint when I can."

"We will," Mary said. "How do you get to town?"

"This trail," Brennan said quickly, pointing to the one that was near the stables. "You three will recall it after the fence; I hope you don't mind climbing over."

"It's fine," Castle said quickly.

"Alright, then enjoy your lunch and I'll see you when you're back," Brennan replied.

"Could we ride when we come back?" Beckett asked her cousin.

"Of course, just search me out and I'll get you all ready," Brennan said.

After they'd said goodbye to him the group walked together down the path before they came to the trees that ringed the property.

"Were the two scenes of the attack like this?" Mary suddenly asked.

"They were," Skye said first. "A lot of trees."

"For cover of course," Castle commented.

"Cover for what though?" Mary asked them. "It was night and dark right? There weren't any lights on the path?"

After Skye had looked back at her and Castle, Beckett said, "I think we should head back to them both; the first attack site is close to the pub anyway."

The group was silent as they made their way to the fence and they climbed over it in turn before they'd reached the site.

"Hmm," Mary said, looking around. "Here they wouldn't need cover; it's essentially in the middle of nowhere." She turned to the other three and asked, "Unless the groundskeeper found him?"

"No, he alerted a neighbor," Beckett said first. "After he regained consciousness. The groundskeeper was having his dinner at his home, Brennan explained that one of the stable hands takes over at that point but he was on the other side of the property."

"A car?" Skye asked.

"One of those… jeeps?" Castle said, looking at his wife.

"You've seen them at the stable, they're like golf carts," Beckett told the other two women. "Should we go to the other site?" she then asked to get their attention back to the town.

"Sure," Castle said, going over to her and taking her hand. He held her back from continuing, watching the two women going down the path ahead of them.

"What're you thinking Rick?" Beckett asked her husband suspiciously.

"Not that," Castle said. "Since they'll be able to see us."

"Pervert," Beckett said though she was smiling soon after that. She squeezed his hand and they continued walking until they'd reached the town and were getting closer to the pond when Mary suddenly stopped.

"What grá?" Skye asked her wife.

"How far apart were the attacks?" Mary said, looking at them all.

"About an hour," Beckett said. "I thought that too but whoever they were had more than enough time to make sure of where Mr. Donohue was and then follow him." She wasn't surprised when the others just stared at her and said firmly, "Yes, I think it was planned. It's a small town and you never know what might have come up between suddenly former friends."

"I had thought the same," Skye said, Castle nodding in agreement. "Though I wonder if we could find anything out; we're not that well known here… or at least me and Mary." She had expected something after that but when neither of their friends said anything she asked, "That was expected?"

"Of course."

"Naturally," Beckett and then Castle replied.

"But you are known," Beckett reminded her. "You've been here before and of course you're well known."

Skye shrugged and was about to open her mouth to speak when she heard someone calling out to her. "Paul?" she said in surprise at finding it was the singer and his wife.

"Yeah, we wanted to join you," Paul replied once they'd caught up to the group. When the couples were looking at each other he then said, "Not in your… investigation, but for lunch."

"It's not really an investigation," Castle said. "We're just going to talk to the two men, to check on them."

"And you can join us," Beckett said quickly.

"We were just surprised," Skye said.

"Is there anything that we can eat ourselves?" Nancy asked Beckett and Skye as they'd broken up while they walked over to the pond.

"There is," Beckett said. "Only one dish though, veggies and chips," she told her apologetically.

"Oh no, we'll eat it," Paul said, looking back at them. "But why are we coming here?"

"To look at something," Mary said, not sure if the others wanted Paul and Nancy to know about that.

"Where the attack was," Beckett said as the pair looked confused.

"For Mary to look at, though really we're just standing here," Skye said as they'd stopped near the trail.

"The… what's with the trees?" Mary asked after studying the path.

"They manicured it that way," Castle said as the branches made it look like a tunnel. "Brennan and Clara don't know why but the affect is nice."

"And it likely helped the attacker," Skye said.

Castle looked at the tree branches and then nodded saying, "I guess they could work with the mist there was last night."

"Most likely," Skye commented.

"Was there mist around White Mount last night?" Mary asked.

"A little… but it was darker there," Beckett said slowly, recalling where the second attack had been. "I guess he just saw the shadow of the attacker but again I don't know exactly what happened to them."

"We should go," Skye said. When the others looked at her she smiled briefly before telling them, "Paul is getting a bit of attention."

"And it's lunchtime as well," the singer himself said, noticing then the people walking around and pausing when they caught sight of him. After they had made their way to the pub he went towards a table before Mary was grabbing his arm and they were going over to a private room. As Beckett closed the door behind them he was about to ask what was wrong when Skye was speaking first.

"It's better this way," the investigator replied.

"But what about speaking to the two men?" Nancy said in confusion.

Beckett didn't say anything before she was opening the door to the room to let in her husband and the two men, smiling at them before she closed the door again.

"Wonderful to see you again," Gerry said first, nodding around before he paused. "Is-" he started to say in surprise.

"I should make introductions," Skye said quickly after Beckett had nodded to her. "This is my wife Mary."

"You were on the show as well," Basil said with a smile as he shook her hand. "And you danced too."

"I did," Mary replied with a smile. "I hope you're doing okay; both of you," she said as she then shook Gerry's hand.

"And these two are Paul and Nancy," Skye then said.

"So… what brings you into our town?" Gerry asked after they'd shaken the singer and his wife's hand.

"We're at White Mount," Paul said, nodding his head back in the direction of the estate.

"You'll be attending the ball?" Basil asked. When the two nodded he said, "You'll enjoy it, my daughter works at the house, she's the cook there but when she was still a maid she served drinks in the ballroom."

"Elise is your daughter?" Castle said.

"Yes… you've met her?" Basil asked.

"No, but we were talking about her at the dinner we had last night," Castle said. "Another guest that will be here is a cook as well, she has a restaurant and we've joked about her trying to get your daughter to cook there."

"Back in the states?" Basil said. When the others nodded he smiled and said, "That's quite a compliment but she doesn't like airplanes."

"Brennan and Clara told us," Beckett said before the barmaid came inside after knocking on the door. "Please sit."

Once they'd ordered their drinks and food Skye said, "We wanted to ask if you were alright."

"After our… adventures last night?" Gerry asked.

"Yes," Beckett said.

"Just fine," Basil said with an incline of his head.

"Bit of an egg on the noggin," Gerry replied, reaching up to it. "But we're of sound mind."

"I wonder," Beckett said slowly. "About what you said when you talked about seeing a ghost. There was mist last night along the paths you were on; and very dark." She had been about to mention the fact that Basil had been watching the screen of his phone when her husband grabbed her arm gently and squeezed.

"I do know what I saw," Gerry said first and firmly. "And that mist was along the ground as it usually is. What I saw was a figure, in white, slipping past the trees onto the path and then rushing at me. It attacked me, I know it did."

"I only had a moment to see a figure in white," Basil said. "But it's what I saw."

Beckett found she didn't really have anything to say to that, so she merely nodded as their drinks were being served. She took a sip of her Guinness and then turned to the two men asking, "Do you know of anyone who might want to harm you? If said attacker wasn't a ghost?" feeling ridiculous for having to add the end.

"Oh no, no, we've got many good friends," Gerry said first.

"Indeed," Basil said with a nod of agreement. "And we know everyone in town." He paused in setting down his glass and then said, "I suppose it could be someone we don't know…" Seeing the startled expression on some of the other's faces he said with a slight smile, "Mort… Mr. Sanderson and books I read taught me to think in that way."

"Mr. Sanderson taught you?" Paul couldn't help asking.

"Well… he told us about his cases," Basil said.

"He's done that with us lads," Gerry said. "Mort, Palkis, Rachet, Peters and Landon. "We drink together here at the pub and we're all mates."

"And no one's ever taken issue with you?" Castle asked.

"No, never," Basil replied.

Breathing out, as she knew they'd reached a dead end there, Beckett turned her attention to the barmaid who'd come in with plates and they were soon served their food. She wasn't surprised when the two men asked them about the states, knowing they were trying not to bother Paul too much asking him questions. When they had finished she and Castle reminded the men to contact Brennan if they remembered anything about the night before and the two left the room.

"What will you do now?" Nancy asked the others as they remained.

"Head back to the manor," Skye said.

"I wanted to go for a ride," Beckett said with a nod. She then looked at Paul and said, "What about you?"

"Nancy wants to head into the shops," Paul replied, reaching into his coat. He pulled a knit cap on his head and said, "I hope that will be enough."

"Sunglasses?" Skye asked.

"Just a moment," the singer said, taking them out of his other pocket.

"Marvelous," Skye said before she smiled. "Take care coming back."

"We will, it was a really nice lunch," Nancy replied.

Skye; after they'd said goodbye to the couple; looked at her wife and asked, "What is it grá?"

"The bartender," Mary said, nodding outside. "He was motioning to us while we were talking to them."

"I'll go," Beckett said.

"I'll join you," Skye added quickly. When they walked out she said, "Rick?"

"I think he's seeing it's better you're with me," Beckett said hurriedly.

"Good afternoon," the young man said. "What can I do for you today?"

Waiting for the man paying at the end of the bar to leave, Beckett glanced at Skye pointedly before she smiled briefly and was turning back to the bartender to begin.

"I saw you last night with the police," the bartender said. "And a man came in this morning, saying his son had shown him a video that might be about the attack on Gerry and Basil."

"Do you have it?" Beckett asked.

"I do," the man said with a nod, handing them his phone.