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: It was great to get the feedback for the last chapter, so I'll head into my thank yous for that! TORONTOSUN (I was really happy reading that you liked how easily Julia and Eliza were talking with Castle and Beckett in the last chapter since I like them having that relationship together as a family!) and

Mb (I wasn't surprised to see you mentioned the red herring with the cliffhanger I had, lol, or that you wondered if it was a coincidence or an interruption of something else. I was glad to see that you enjoyed Castle and Beckett being themselves, also loving and sexy. It was great reading you loved the flashbacks where they were teenagers and wanting to be sweethearts but not sure if the other feels the same way or how to move forward. And I had to laugh at you mentioning they were knuckleheads, lol, but it does work. You're welcome for the first half! Really happy to see you thought the second half was wonderfully written too. And I'm not surprised you could picture Castle trying to be calm with Brenton staring at Beckett. Also not surprised you mentioned the white knuckles Castle had on the cutlery, lol, or that it made you laugh. I was glad you thought it was good to hear from the girls and Martha and Jim, along with them arriving in England the next day, it doesn't surprise me since it means of course they'll see them. And it was nice that you thought the flashbacks were fantastic to Castle and Beckett's anniversary. I was very happy too reading you thought that to matter the time period Castle and Beckett are loving and sexy. You're welcome for the second half too!).

Thanks so much for the reviews, I loved reading them as usual and 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 Private Property written by Paul McCartney, from Ringo Starr's album Stop and Smell the Roses.

Insists That It's All For Me

Feeling the lips over her skin discontinue, Beckett glanced over her shoulder and asked, "Why'd you stop?"

"Just making sure you're okay with this," Castle replied.

Glancing at him before he moved her so she was laying on her back Beckett said, "I could have stopped you when you started."

"True," Castle said with a shrug. He smiled when she laughed softly and he leaned down, kissing her lightly on the lips. "Good morning love," he told her when he pulled away.

"Good morning," Beckett replied. She reached up and caressed his cheek before she said, "I was serious last night."

"I know," Castle said with a nod. He moved then and they got off the bed together before heading into the shower. Though he didn't really want to he had to limit himself to just kissing his wife until they were out and getting dressed quickly.

"What're you thinking?" Beckett asked after she had put on some makeup.

"The case," Castle said with a frown; having been leaning against the counter next to her. "All that's left was here in the manor. Brennan and Clara didn't mention anyone talking to them."

"You're thinking it's Gorman?" Beckett asked.

"I would have said Mercer, but he was home in Swindon," Castle replied. "But Gorman… he's a local. He'd know the pubs, the occupants… what if he wants the extra bar but he's aware of how loyal the others are to it?"

"Are you thinking this is a precursor to the attacker wanting to draw customers to their pub?" Beckett asked him while they walked out into the bedroom. She watched her husband going to the windows and was surprised when he leaned against one with his arm.

"It seems like an idiotic motive," Castle said, looking at her.

"Yes, it is," Beckett said carefully. She wasn't surprised at his confused expression and then went on saying, "But it's a small town, they could earn money having that pub but the others would take some of that away. And there may be something underlying with them and the Squire; something simple."

"Forced to pay their tab?" Castle guessed.

"Maybe," Beckett said. "We should call Mercer," she told him. "But really…"

"He likely thought of that himself," Castle said with a nod. "Ready?" he then asked her.

Nodding Beckett reached out to him and took his hand before they were walking together out of their room and over to the stairs. She was surprised when they weren't running into anyone else until they had reached the dining room. "Hey… what's going on?" she asked Skye as she saw that no one was sitting at the table and there was no food on the end table.

"We're not really sure, we've seen a few of the workers," the investigator began quietly as the Ellistons were there along with the Foxes. "But they've just brought some coffee and tea."

"Have you seen Brennan or Clara?" Castle asked the two women.

Shaking her head Mary said first, "No, I think one of the employees went to find them though, let them know what's going on." She glanced at her wife and then said, "She was thinking of going."

"Just to see what we should do, I'm a bit hungry," Skye explained.

"I don't blame you," Castle said before he and his wife turned when they heard footsteps behind them.

"Are we to get our own-" Esther started to say as Brennan and Clara were there with their children.

Holding up her hand to stop the woman Clara said, "We apologize for the lack of food at the moment. We're about to head over there now and see what's happened. We'll try to get food out here as soon as possible since our daughter needs to eat and go to school."

"Would you three come with us?" Brennan murmured to his cousin.

"What about Mary?" Skye asked him.

"I can watch the kids," the doctor said in a rush. She took Ella from him with a smile and then held the baby in her arms.

"Have you been down here yet?" Castle was saying as he, Beckett and Skye were walking behind the couple to the kitchens.

"I didn't know until Lisa came up to the nursery where we were with the children," Brennan replied. "I'm thinking that Elise is sick and they need to make up so it's taking a little longer than… normal," he started to say before his voice trailed off. "Where is everyone?" he called out.

"Sir," an employee said as he came into the kitchen from another door. "We're sorry but someone's unplugged the refrigerator. We've been trying to salvage what we can."

"What-" Brennan began with a frown before he cut himself off. "What is it Mathias?" he asked the man coming through the door.

"An update sir, ma'am," the employee said as he nodded to them. "We've managed to salvage most of the food. A bit of ice and ice cream are lost but we'll have breakfast in a moment."

"We were told Elise isn't here," Clara then said. "Is she ill?"

Frowning for a moment Mathias said, "To be honest we're not sure where she is… or Duckworth."

"Duckworth is staying with her," Brennan said. "His room should be empty. He should also be on bed rest." He sighed and asked, "He was intending to work today."

At the worker's nod Clara told her husband, "Will you see if she's alright? I'll see to the food."

"Do you want us to join you?" Beckett asked.

"That would be nice," Brennan said.

"I think we're going first," Skye said wryly to her friend. They were about to leave the kitchen to go around to the passage to the wing where the servants slept when she paused at another employee rushing up to them.

Watching the woman whisper to Brennan, Beckett glanced at her husband before her cousin was speaking.

"Something's wrong, there's no response at the door and Logan looking at the security cameras wants to see me," Brennan said. He directed the woman and Mathias to go to the end of the hall where the cook's room was before he led Castle, Beckett and Skye to another room.

"Where do you have cameras?" Beckett asked her cousin.

"Around the entire property, as well as the halls on the employees wing," Brennan replied.

"Is that legal?" Castle asked slowly, looking at his wife.

"They know about them and Clare's father put them in after an employee was stealing from the other rooms," Brennan replied. "It's just the halls though." They'd reached a door and he knocked on it before the man inside called him in. "What is it?" he asked his and his wife's security employee.

"Something you should see Mr. Brennan," Logan said after glancing at the three behind his boss. He played some footage on the TV screen that was directly in front of him before he was moving aside. "This was earlier in the morning."

Seeing the figure coming inside Brennan said, "They found the dumbwaiter access."

"They did Sir, but they went down the hall, into the room Cook has," Logan said, essentially narrating the footage. "Then out to the kitchen where they were the ones to unplug the fridge."

"You heard?" Brennan asked.

"From Patrice," Logan said with a nod.

"How did they leave?" Beckett couldn't help asking.

"I'm not sure ma'am," Logan replied.

"The servant's wing is three stories and they know the blind spots," Brennan said before he was frowning. He then looked at his employee and asked, "Has anyone come in here?"

Shaking his head vehemently Logan said, "Mathias and I know not to allow it."

"Alright, we'll check on Elise and Duckworth," Brennan said. "Keep an eye on everything."

After the man had nodded to that Beckett went up to her cousin and reminded him, "Mercer was looking at your employees."

"I know, Clare will be heartbroken," Brennan replied grimly.

Not surprised, Beckett was quiet as they were getting to the hallway where Mathias was waiting on his own.

"Patrice went back to help in the kitchen; others are waking up sir," the man said quietly when they were close.

"Anybody walking around?" Castle asked.

"Most everyone's awake and I haven't seen a soul," Mathias replied.

"Alright, Kate you'll come with me?" Brennan said.

"Let us," Skye said quickly before her friend could answer. She walked with Beckett down the hall until they were at the door her cousin indicated led to the cook's room, tapping her hand. "I have my knife on me," she whispered.

"When do you not?" Beckett said wryly. "We won't need it," she said, still whispering. They'd reached the door by then and she reached up, knocking on it before she and Skye were stepping by slightly when a muffled scream came from inside. "Rick!" she called to her husband.

"Watch out," Castle said, kicking at the door once he had a clear shot at it. With the base loosened he and Beckett threw themselves against it until it flew open and the screaming began again.

"Elise! Elise it's me," Brennan said as he rushed into the room with Castle after the two women. "Oh god, Theo," he said when he spotted Duckworth on the other side of the bed on the floor.

"We won't hurt you," Skye was saying reassuringly to Elise as she took a washcloth that Castle had gotten from the bathroom and pressed it to the wound on her forehead. "Can you move your fingers at all?" she asked the woman. Seeing her wriggling them she said, "Wonderful, your toes?"

"Can you talk?" Beckett said as her husband was helping Brennan assist in getting Duckworth up. She glanced towards the doorway, seeing that Mathias was gone and then turned to the woman on the bed as she was speaking.

"I was asleep," Elias said slowly. "And woke up to see someone above me before I was… hit? I don't remember anything else."

"How is Mr. Duckworth doing?" Skye asked the two men.

"Not that bad considering his injury," Castle said. "He can move but I think he's in a little shock." He turned his attention back to the man asked, "You don't need to talk."

"I can," Duckworth replied. "M'head hurts," he groaned.

"The ambulance will be here soon Mr. Brennan," Mathias said, appearing in the doorway shortly after.

"I need to ask you about your attacker," Castle said then, looking at Brennan while he'd spoken.

"He can blink if he's alright with that," the vet said. "Once for yes and twice for no," Brennan told the man. "Is that alright?"

At the single blink Castle said, "Was Elise hit first?" Another blink and he was saying, "Did you wake up after she was struck." When the man blinked once again he said, "Were you able to see who it was at all." At the double blink he said to Brennan, "I'm not surprised." Turning his attention to Duckworth he said, "Thank you for letting us know; it'll help us find who did this."

"Mathias," Brennan then called to the man. "Would you take over for Mr. Castle?"

"We'll get in touch with Mercer," Castle told his wife's cousin before he got up to let Mathias kneel next to Duckworth. He went over to his wife in the doorway and they stepped into the hallway before she was dialing on her phone.

Explaining with Mercer what had happened once he'd answered, Beckett said, "We-"

"Mercer," Skye said as she walked over to the pair.

"Ms. McDouglas," the constabulary replied.

"I don't think you'll need to come out here to White Mount," Skye told him.

"And why is that?" Mercer asked in obvious confusion.

"Because they're headed for the Squire," Skye replied in a matter of fact tone. She was staring pointedly at Castle and Beckett and once a look of realization appeared on their faces she told the constabulary, "We know who the attacker is."

"I hope you're right about this," Mercer said to the others. "If you're wrong I can't imagine what this would do for the police here in town."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Castle commented.

"He's right," Beckett said. "It's obvious once you see the height of the figure in the manor."

"I suppose… to be honest I'm just glad it's not Gorman," Mercer told them seriously.

"I would never hurt the men at the Squire," the officer said quickly. "They're good friends when I come in."

"And you don't know the people at the manor do you?" Mary asked him.

Shaking his head Gorman said, "I've seen them, know a few names besides Lord and Lady Cotswold and their children, but that's all."

"Luckily everyone's alright," Skye commented as she was staring ahead of them.

They were getting to the pub and as soon as they were at it they diverted to the back of the building in a small path between it and the next building. Before they could come around completely to the back they paused as they could hear two voices in argument.

"I told you before, I can't go to London, I have a good job here and the building fell through anyway."

"I can go, I have absolutely no connection to my family. My brother and sisters are… I need to leave."

"I don't need to; I'm staying they need me to help. You won't convince me."

"Then," the voice said, obviously smiling. "You can stay here and you can rot in jail."

"Jail… what do you mean jail?"

"Two workers were attacked in their room this morning." There was a heavy laugh though it was brief and then continued saying, "A bracelet says so much."

"That was stolen from the room, it could have been anyone."

"Of course, of course, but who has the best connection to the three men who were attacked and the manor?"

Mercer got Gorman's attention and they left the four, going around the building back to the street while Castle, Beckett, Skye and Mary waited long enough before they were stepping to the back of the building and stopping the pair at the back of a car.

"The… the pub is open," Lorne Post said, rattled by the appearance of the four.

"We know," Beckett said first.

"We're not here for a pint," Skye said, standing to the man's right as her wife was standing to Beckett's left. She glanced at Castle to the other person's left and then looked back at the pair that was in front of them.

"We're here for you," Beckett was saying, looking at them.

"I didn't do anything," the pair said at the same time.

"You didn't of course," Skye said. "And we haven't been introduced."

"Lena Hobbes," the woman said warily.

"Interesting name," Mary said. "Your ex-husband is doing well."

"Okay," Hobbes said slowly.

"But then again you wouldn't really care," Castle said. "Considering you're the one that hit him and his fiancée."

"What are you talking about?" Hobbes asked in annoyance.

"We saw the bracelet with Lorne's name on it," Skye said, nodding to the young man. "And after a quick talk with his father we learned that he's had to stay here in town. The deal for the pub in London fell through for you both."

"Mr. Post was more than a little overjoyed since his sister has decided to learn to become a teacher and his brother isn't sure about taking over the pub eventually either," Castle added before he looked at his wife who hadn't taken her eyes off Hobbes.

"I heard about the attack," the woman said. "And everyone in the wing was talking about that bracelet."

"Which you had the chance to take since Mr. Post here has been to your room at White Mount," Beckett said.

"We know it was you, we have a witness right now confirming you hired him to help in attacking Mr. Worths," Skye replied. "Even though you tried to disguise your voice."

Hobbes narrowed her eyes at the investigator before looking at them all and then turning to run. Before she could get very far she was running into Gorman and was going to fall when Mercer was stepping around his officer and promptly closing a handcuff around her wrist.

"Thanks for helping us out," Castle said to Nieman as he had walked to the back.

"I was glad to do it," the man said. "Make sure I'm not arrested." Nieman looked over at the younger Post and asked, "Alright there?"

"I… I can't believe she did that," Lorne replied in obvious shock. "She… they're all alright, aren't they? The men and the two at the manor?"

"Yes," Mary said first. "The stable hand and cook are a little shaken up but they'll recover."

"How did you find out about that attack?" Mercer said, coming back to them. Seeing the way the others were looking at him he explained, "Gorman and another officer are taking her."

"She told me," Lorne said when the others turned to him. "I knew Duckworth was her ex-husband and he's engaged to another woman… the cook I gather. But she's always hated him for the divorce and I know she wanted to go to London to not see them. But they were always very polite to Lena so I suppose she was possessive." He frowned and glanced at the pub before saying, "Of me as well."

"When did she find out about the deal for the pub in London falling through?" Castle asked.

"Two weeks ago," Lorne said. "I broke up with her a week later after she exploded when I told her I was staying here to take on the family business." He frowned and then said, "I should have guessed but… why wouldn't she go after me?"

"I think she still loved you," Skye told him slowly.

"I need you to come with me," Mercer told the man then. "To fill out a statement about the discussions you had with her."

"I will, but my dad…" Lorne said, looking at the pub again.

"I can run in and ask him to come out," Castle said. When Mercer nodded to him he hurried to the door leading into the back of the pub, startling Lorne's sister as she turned to him in the kitchen. "Sorry, I need to speak to your father," he explained.

"I'll get him," she replied, hurrying over to the door leading out.

Castle heard the door opening behind him and he glanced back seeing that it was his wife, giving her a questioning look.

"I decided to join you," Beckett said gently.

Though he wanted to comment, Mr. Post was walking into the kitchen and Castle turned his attention to the man. He and Beckett explained what had happened and he wasn't surprised when the father was rushing past them to go outside. When they had followed him he saw that Mr. Post was talking to Mercer, his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Yes, she had come in numerous times," the father was saying as he nodded. "With her husband and then on her own before she and Lorne were together. But I never thought she hated the men who were attacked."

"I don't think she hated them," Beckett said. "They were easy to attack and since they were at the pub all the time she targeted them."

Sighing Mr. Post said, "I pray this won't hurt business, not when it's your inheritance," speaking to his son.

"Don't worry Dad," Lorne said reassuringly. "At least it's over."

"It is," Mercer said. "He'll be back home as soon as he finishes his statement."

"Thank you," Mr. Post said, shaking the constabulary's hand. "And you all as well," he told the four, doing the same with them. "Could I tell the men that you've found who's done this?"

"You can, I suspect the town will know about Ms. Hobbes already," Mercer replied. When the pub owner nodded and rushed back into the building he looked at the four and told them, "Thank you again. I'll see you at the ball."

"You're going?" Mary asked.

"Brennan invited me and I accepted," Mercer said.

When the constabulary and Lorne left Beckett nearly jumped when her phone's text alert sounded. She took it out of her pocket and said, "They released Duckworth and Elise," to the others. "They're fine but Brennan and Clara are having them rest for a few days."

"The ball?" Skye asked.

"They cater that, it's a little too much for Elise to handle on her own," Beckett replied with a smile. "And they're going to come into town with Arthur and Ella right now; have lunch at the pub."

"Really?" Castle asked.

Nodding Beckett let him read the text and said to the two women with them, "He's showing his support."

"Of course, if he's preferred this pub I would imagine he would," Skye commented. She looked at the building next to them and asked, "Should we wait for them inside?"

"Good idea," Castle said before they started to go to the path between the two buildings. He was going to speak when his wife next to him was abruptly interrupting him without knowing it.

"I'm really glad that everything wrapped up in time," Beckett commented. She couldn't help smiling as her husband looked at his watch and said, "We have enough time for lunch."

"And still more time at the house," Castle replied as he could easily see that from the time on his watch. "Swim?"

"We'll wait until tomorrow," Beckett said in amusement as she wasn't surprised he'd said that. "I don't really want to play pool either," she told him as they were about to go into the pub.

Before he could reply to that Castle turned with her as they heard a voice calling out to them and they saw that it was her cousin. "That was fast," he said.

"We just needed to get the kids ready," Brennan said. "Or else we would have been right behind you. Everything's settled?"

"Nieman identified her and Post's son let us know he's staying here instead," Beckett explained. "The deal for whatever pub they were going to run fell through."

"That would explain it," Brennan replied as he nodded his head. "Mercer?"

"He went back to the station," Castle said. "Probably trying to get a confession."

Since her husband was looking at her, Beckett nodded and said, "There's nothing right now that's concrete but hopefully she'll confess and also they find enough in the manor."

"They have access to her room," Clara said. "They arrived not long after you four left."

"Mathias is there and so are Porter, Lewis…" Brennan said.

"Everyone is?" Castle asked.

"Not everyone but they're there to make sure they can help the police if needed," Brennan replied.

"They didn't like her?" Beckett asked.

"I'm not sure," Clara said. "No one's said anything but they did love Elise and Duckworth."

"They had a party for their engagement," Brennan added.

"You're allowing that?" Beckett couldn't help asking.

"It's not the… what, eighteen hundreds," Brennan started to say, looking at his wife.

"The family's allowed servants to marry for over fifty years now," Clara said. "My great-grandfather started it so he wouldn't lose his butler when he wanted to marry one of the housemaids."

"I hate to ask," Castle said as they went into the pub then. "But will they need to stay in that room Elise had?"

"We'll move them to a suite if they still want to live in the manor," Clara replied with a smile. She then said, "They're not huge but essentially a double room. It's for those who have seniority or are married employees at the estate."

Since they were inside they turned their attention to the private room where Mr. Post was indicating to them to walk to.

"You can sit here, the lads would like to buy your lunch today," the owner said, smiling at them.

"Put it on my tab," Brennan said quickly.

"Of course, they'll join you once Basil is finished," Mr. Post replied.

"Here," Castle said, touching Beckett's back to get her attention. He pushed her chair in for her and then sat next to her before looking at Skye and Mary across from them.

"I know, we can't go riding yet?" Skye was saying.

"We started to clear some paths, but I'll ask if you can wait for tomorrow," Brennan replied.

"That's a bit cruel," Skye commented with a grin. When the vet looked at her in confusion she said, "We have the photoshoot and we'll spend time with our children."

"She's right," Beckett said, smiling. "Since they'll want to swim of course."

"I still think we should close off our pool," Castle told his wife.

Shaking her head and smiling Beckett said, "We talked about it and it won't really work."

"It wouldn't?" Clara asked in surprise.

"It can be done but we're not totally sure yet," Beckett said with a sigh. "First off is we wouldn't have a path from the house directly."

"I told you we can connect storage room to the pantry," Castle replied. "Without losing any shelving space either."

"You should do it," Mary said with a smile. "Unless you're unsure about that since it takes away outdoor space."

"We have the backyard," Castle told his wife.

"Let's… wait until we're home and see what we can do," Beckett said with a sigh.

"Thank you," Castle told her gratefully. They turned towards the door then as they could hear Worths had stopped playing the violin and waited for the three men to join them for their meal.