Disclaimer: Don't own it.

There he was, right in front of her. His short black hair fell into his eyes and tan skin stood out against the pale beauties that were lying back on the oversized couch with him. It was no surprise that he had a woman on each side and one on his lap.

The gun on the table was in his hand and pointed in her direction in a matter of seconds as she stepped through the door and waltzed in.

She never flinched. "Now, now, is that any way to greet an old friend?" Her hips swayed as she stepped up to the other side of the glass coffee table.

His mouth was agape as he took in her beauty. The gun lowered and he hurriedly pushed his women aside. "Leave me. Out, out! Go!" They all jumped up, throwing Kate very jealous looks on the way by. "Me Bella," He opened his arms and stepped around the table to her.

Castle expected them to shake hands, maybe hug with a kiss on the cheek. What he did not expect was for Gian to pull Kate so close to his body that you wouldn't be able to fit a slip of paper between them, and it only got worse from there.

Gian held her tightly, one arm wrapped fully around her back, gripping her upward so they were as close as they could possibly be, and the other rested behind her shoulder as his fingers tangled deep in her hair. He pulled her closer, hesitating for only a moment, before pressing a hard kiss to her lips.

Castle took one heated step toward them, only to have a gun pointed at him. Kate's hand went out to still Castle, before taking hold of Gian's arm and sliding it back around her body. As a matter of fact, if he didn't know any better he would have said that she was enjoying herself. She was kissing this man back just as passionately as he was kissing her. Fury filled every inch of him and he could feel his face starting to burn as his head reeled. Every part of him wanted nothing more but to wrap his hands around this man's neck and wait until he stopped breathing. Now he really understood crimes of passion. It was only for her sake that he held his tongue and what composure he could muster.

Finally Gian released her mouth and smiled up toward Castle, knowing that that kiss had gotten under his skin. "So, is this you're new pet?" He was staring daggers at Castle, but never released his hold on Kate.

"Now, now," Her hand went to his cheek turning his face back toward her. "You know I don't mix business with pleasure."

"Unfortunately..." He dropped his lips to the hallow of her neck as he pulled her even closer. "'Tis a pity though, we could have been magnificent together." His gun went quickly back in Castle's direction, ready to fire. "I suppose he's disposable then, if you have no real connection to him?" He was testing her. His eyes searched hers trying to get her to give something up if there was anything to give.

She smiled calmly even though her heart raced. This is exactly what she had been afraid of. Finally she found her words. "Eventually everyone is disposable in my world." She slid her hand down his am to the gun. "Some just last longer than others." She pushed gently on his wrist, moving it just enough so that if he did decide to fire it wouldn't hit anything important. "He's my bodyguard and for now I'd rather him alive."

There was a long pause as he continued to push her. Finally he relaxed and slid the gun back into his belt.

Neither of them let it show but both Castle and Beckett were sighing with relief.

"I suppose after our last meeting, I can understand you wanting a little added protection." He smiled and turned from her, lifting a small file from a side table.

"Yes, well, I'm sure you weren't looking for me just so we could reminisce about old times." She stepped up behind him, lips right by his ear. "Who's my target?"

He chuckled, turning back to her with a photo in hand. "Always straight to business. That's something I always loved about you."

The man in the picture was probably somewhere in his upper twenties, dark hair, tan skin, and stood around 5'10".

"His name is Rosa. My client wants him dead and requested you specifically. You can find him here." He handed her a slip of paper with an address on it, but before she even had a chance to read it he gripped her arms tightly and met her eyes, inches from her face. "This client, he's a very important man. Do not fail." His voice was serious and threatening.

She smiled, his tone not fazing her in the least, and tapped his cheek. "Have I ever?"

His hands released her calmly.

"You'll have him by the end of the night." She turned and headed for the door motioning for Castle as she walked past.

He turned to follow her, but not before he noticed how hard Gian was biting his lip as he watched Kate walk away. It took everything he had to leave that man standing and follow Beckett out calmly. As soon as they reached the elevator and were safely inside their act was dropped. He turned to her, ripping the black shades from his eyes. "What was that!"

His sudden outburst made her jump. "What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about? You were all over him, Kate!"

She stood upright from her relaxed position against the wall to square with him. "And? It's a part of the act, Castle, let it go." Her voice was strong and her eyes stern.

He stepped closer to her, eyes burning with anger. "I will not let it go, and if he ever touches you like that again I'll kill him." He seethed.

It was her turn and she closed the already small gap between them. "If you want either one of us to stay alive, you'll let it go. I didn't ask you to do this with me and if you can't handle it then you can go home."

Now was the stare down. They both looked hard at each other, neither willing to relinquish their position. Ultimately though, Castle knew she was right. After seeing how anxious Gian was to shoot one of them, he knew that they had to keep their cover if they wanted to get out of this alive. He turned from her and leaned back against the wall, face in his hands. "I'm sorry."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "It's alright."