3.

Well into the next hour a new girl is led to the stage. This one is different and Beckett can't quite make out her origins, but the strawberry colored hair has Castle instantly on full alert beside her, eyes boring directly into the terrified child's eyes. Her blood runs cold with animosity at these lowlifes of society and despair for these children. The girl looks to be about 14 and as the bidding commences Castle grabs for the electronic keypad, fingers at the ready. The lights begin flashing above the adjacent rooms as Castle jumps right into the venture. In a whirlwind of movement his fingers tap across the keypad with the skill of a practiced typist, causing their light to flash time and again until the announcer finally points to their room and Castle relaxes. She knows what he's thinking. She can see it in his fatherly eyes. The strawberry hair, giving her a more familiar appearance and reminding him again of his own daughter, the man busting into their room only a short while before, very likely being her father. It would be a huge risk to their operation to accept an American girl, with a family who would be looking for her, into their enterprise, but it's not like it matters at this point. As far as Beckett is concerned they are going down tonight anyway.

As the next girl is pushed onto the platform a new presence enters from stage right and moves to one of the saved seats. When he begins pointing in various directions, causing men to jump at his words, it becomes highly probable this is their guy, the ringleader they've been waiting for. Beckett nods her head in his direction as Castle's eyes follow her head tilt directly to the man in question. He nods in agreement after a moment of observation.

The next girl forced onto the stage is announced as the final opportunity for the evening. This makes Beckett's insides twist, she's a human, being treated like cattle at an auction. Now their suspect is on his feet and she realizes they can't wait for their invite down below. She's not about to let him escape. Speaking into her mic, giving the go-ahead, "It's time. Suspect is wearing a black button-up shirt, red tie and shoes, surrounded by his muscle on the southeast side of the staging area." With that she's on her feet and making haste towards the door with Castle promptly falling in behind her. She pulls her gun and is out the door at a fast clip, heading straight for the target of the evening. Making her way down the stairs into the pit below she has Castle at her back and almost running into her as she stops to look for the rest of her team and backup. Speaking quietly into her mic she warns, "suspect on the move towards what appears to be an office at the back of the building."

Hearing a heavy Russian accent screaming from her far left she realizes she's been spotted. Pushing Castle back in an effort to keep him hidden in the stairwell before he is seen, she takes off in the direction of their suspect, hoping their back-up shows up soon. Castle, seeing the guy bolt immediately after her, does the same. Chaos is now breaking loose around them. Screams in various languages echo in his ears as he sees guns being drawn by some seriously steroid-pumped dudes. Beckett reaches the office door, tries the handle to no avail and then proceeds to put her foot into it. Thankfully this one is wooden, rather than steel and gives way with her first kick. He hears Beckett give the command, "NYPD, drop your weapons, hands in the air."

At that moment he sees the Neanderthal in pursuit of Beckett is fast approaching her backside, which will leave her cornered on both sides without warning. He does the only rational thing he can, rational for him anyway, and he tackles the guy. With a response time Castle thought impossible, the behemoth turns on him, fists flying. Castle takes a swift hit to the face, then another, but at least his face is keeping the guy off Beckett.

In his sluggish state he hears shots fire out just as Beckett ducks out the door and drops low. Behind her the reinforcements have finally arrived, spilling in and fanning out in a practiced dance, weapons at the ready. He hears Beckett say, "what the hell took you guys so long?" in a clipped tone. Ryan's reply comes apologetically, "sorry Beckett, damn doors were solid reinforced steel. Didn't realize the ram wouldn't easily be able to take them out until it was too late. One of those important details someone neglected to gather."

With a multitude of people swarming the office, the two guards Beckett left standing are now surrendering their weapons and they, along with the ringleader, are all in cuffs in a matter of minutes.

Beckett turns to find Castle on the ground, his combatant on his knees beside him with cuffs being slapped on by Esposito. Beckett races to his side in a flash of heels hitting concrete. He's bleeding from a nasty contusion above his eyebrow, one eye is darkening and swelling as he holds a hand to it gingerly, saying, "how hot will I look with a black eye?" Beckett releases her breath on a relieved sigh as he says, "would you find it even more hot to know I got it saving your backside from a behemoth?" She just smiles and says, "Castle, I think you're pretty hot anyway." Realizing what she let slip in her moment of contentment for his well being, she attempts to laugh it off, but her boys are looking at her with knowing eyes and impish grins.

Both, having temporarily forgotten about the microphone and the camera, which obviously picked up their every…sound, are immediately hit with total ripping from the guys. Pulling Castle to his feet, Espo slaps him on the back in a proud, manly manner as Castle's eyes find Beckett's in pleading.

Beckett laughs, "Come on guys, it's called acting."

Castle quickly chimes in with, "You didn't think I completely escaped all those acting genes my mother passed down did you?"

Espo and Ryan's faces transition from huge grins into slight frowns, but within seconds the smiles are back as Ryan pipes up, "no one is that good man."

Espo adds, "yeah Beckett, we heard you and that was as real as it gets. But can I just say, ewww, you're like my little sister."

Shaking her head she gives them a stern look as she leads Castle off to find a paramedic to check his injuries. Thank God that camera was trapped between us without a view.

Walking away they hear, "that was real right?" Followed by, "yeah bro, no chance it wasn't. Didn't you notice Castle's shirt was minus a couple buttons? I can't wait to call Lanie."

She hears Castle whisper, "busted" as she tries to recall what happened to his buttons and when. What the hell did I do during those passion-clouded moments?

Beckett pops off, "how do you know I wasn't just acting, Castle."

"Oh, my dear detective, you forget you were sitting very close. I could feel your…ah… passion, excitement, dampness, the results of our tryst…right through our clothing," Looking down towards his crotch, "you might have even left a stain on my…" finishing with a look of triumph as he's cut off.

A sharp, "Shut-up, Castle," follows a mumble of, "Yep, we're busted," as her cheeks flush almost imperceptibly.

After getting a clean bill of health, other than a nasty bump on his head and what will no doubt be a very heroic black eye, they get praise from Gates and knowing looks from everyone else before Beckett offers to drive Castle home.

"Come up with me, Kate."

Frowning, "What happened to Beckett?"

"Oh, I think we've gone way beyond formalities tonight. Don't you agree?"

The glow on her face leaves no need for words.

"Come on, Kate. It's the middle of the night. You're coming upstairs with me."

Joking, "Can we take the elevator? I'm pretty tired."

"Ha Ha, figure of speech, Kate, but I'll carry you if I have too." Grabbing her hand he leads her into his building and up to the loft, keeping their fingers intertwined the entire way.

After a little comfort food and drink they head towards his bedroom, him leading the way.

Pausing. "Are you sure about this, Rick?"

Smiling at her concession to use his first name, in agreement with his earlier words, "oh, I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

"Well, I guess I do sort of owe you so I think it's your turn to lay back and let me have my wicked way with you." A mischievous grin forming on her face.

An hour or so later, in the aftermath of their heated embrace, Beckett's phone chimes.

Groaning, "not again," she reaches for it then busts out into a full on laugh.

Castle looks at her with a questioning gaze as she turns the phone for him to see the text from Lanie, reading, "It's about damn time! Thought I might be collecting my pension before you two gave in. So tell me, how's the release feel after nearly four years of foreplay?"

Castle joins her in her fits of laughter and together they say, "pretty extraordinary!"

Ok, Ok. Don't kill me. I know I skipped over some "sexy" details there, but with all your insatiable reviews and PM's you've twisted my arm, making me consider adding another chapter so it's up to you if you want more. Feel free to let me know if you would like another chapter or prefer this ending. I'll leave it open for now. Thanks for all your reviews so far.