After Rick and Kate offer the couple's thanks to their hostess for the nice evening meal, company, and conversation, Castle has called a cab to pick them up. This neighborhood does not have regular wandering taxis down every block looking for passengers.

Once in the back of the taxicab, heading back to the loft, Kate has snuggled up close to into her husband's side

"What's the matter Kate?" Rick can tell that she has something that is on her mind

She takes his arm and pulls across her front and to her chest. Wrapping both arms around his, she then takes a firm grip on his hand. She leans her head over to his shoulder

"What is it Kate?" he asks

"I love you"

"I love you too"

He pauses for a brief moment "What brought this on?"

"We are good together…aren't we? You and me?"

"We are the best…Kate, is something wrong?"

She slides her hand up his arm "Everything is good. In fact everything is fantastic"

"What is happening inside that beautiful little head of yours?"

"Those women tonight" she tilts her head as if pointing toward the house they just departed from "They talked about how they were glad their husband would be gone for months or how all men unfaithful. One of the women said she knew her husband was having an affair and that all men cheated"

"Kate she is largely right. There are a lot of men in bad marriages that cheat. Sometimes they are not bad people, they are just missing something. The marriage was no longer interesting"

"You mean the lack if intimacy?"

"Not just that. But that can be a big part. Sometimes it is the lack of communications. The lack of mystery in their lives. Or challenges. The lack of common ground or common interests"

She never moves from his shoulder "You mean like a world famous, rich, mystery writer and a run of the mill homicide cop? No common ground" and she giggles to let him know she is only kidding

"We have so much common ground. I create crimes…at least on paper. You investigate crimes. And we enjoy solving them…together"

She smiles at the comment then asks "What were the men talking about all evening?"

"You"

Kate lifts her head from his arm "ME? Why were they talking about me?"

"I told you that you were going to be the sexist woman at the party and I was right"

Laying her head back on his arm she just smiles and she can feel just a little flush rise on her face

"In fact, I thought I might just have to challenge them to a duel to protect your honor"

Bringing a little laugh from Kate

"Not to mention Nikki Heat is a top selling series of books and you are the inspiration"

After a moment of silence, Rick comments again about the events of earlier today "I was so glad you came today"

"Not just today" she whispers to him

He almost gags "That was not what I meant. I thought Dr. Sellers was going to have a heart attack when you walked into my office today"

"I did think she looked a little surprised, like I interrupted her plans for the afternoon… and evening especially how she was dressed. And is she always that much of a flirt?"

"It was well timed interruption. Thank you for being there. And YES. She is a flirt. But I don't think I am the exclusive recipient of that attention"

Another short pause is broken "Castle, those women tonight seemed determined that their husbands were cheating. I have to ask something"

"OK. What?"

"Have you ever been tempted? I mean there are a lot of beautiful women out there. I know that the women try to pick you up at book signings. I know the sexy young coeds…"

He squeezes her fingers "Kate…why would a man, who has a Lamborghini waiting for him at home, even be distracted by a new shiny two wheel mountain bike? Just because it's fast?"

He pauses "Then when you crash it's really, really bad"

This makes Kate look up again "So what are you saying Castle, that I'm an Italian Sports Car?"

"Yes and the best I see out there is a tricycle" he points out the window "So. no competition"

She almost laughs out loud. She drops her voice to a sultry level "Then I suggest we hurry and get home soon so we can get a ride in your Lamborghini"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The next morning begins with the coffee ready and Castle in the middle of making waffles with a side of bacon just as Alexis and Jimmy rush down the stairs.

"Daddy" comes from the running 3 year old "where's mommy?"

"I'm right here" Kate answers as she enters the kitchen

The smallest Castle is in his mother's arms so fast she almost falls over

"Daddy, I'm hungry" he says as he jumps up down from Kate then into his booster chair

"Well, little man you're breakfast is almost ready" as Castle pours another ladle of waffle mix into the waffle iron

"So dad, how was the party last night?" Alexis asks

"It was interesting. The diner was delicious and we got to meet several of the other faculty and the grandson of the university founder"

"So my mom and dad are moving up in the word of academia? Fancy diner parties and rubbing shoulders with the elite in the world of education"

"Not exactly" Kate responds then looks at her husband "Let's just say we are happy where we are in life" She leave a poignant pause "I know I am" she smiles at her family

When breakfast is finished Alexis stands and tells her brother "Come on let's get you to school"

Jimmy jumps down and rushes to get his bag

"Pumpkin, are sure you don't mind taking your brother to school every day?"

"No dad. I am fine doing that. He is great to be around"

Kate smiles at the remark "Or is it you don't mind seeing the son of the school's owner helping to check in the kids every morning?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about" the red read responds as her and her little brother head out the door

"Well Mrs. Castle. We are alone…would you care to take another ride in my sports car?"

The smile on Kate's face give him his answer but at this moment Beckett's cell phone chirps. In a huff, she picks it up and looks at the message "I think we need to delay that road trip. There has been a murder be have been asked to investigate…"

Her face goes blank then she answers "At Ballard University"

"At the school?" Castle is obviously shocked "Who?"

Kate looks up to her husband "Dr. Sellers was found bludgeoned to death in her office this morning"