Disclaimer: Yeah, all I own is Houghton.

A/N: This is set in the year 2013, but other than Beckett and Castle dating, it really doesn't go with the story line of the show, except for what we know already from past seasons. It has NOTHING to do with Season Six because I'm not a fan of spoilers.

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Alexis, Kate and Castle were sitting in the family room at the precinct going over Alexis' statement for any detail possible. Kate looked up from her notebook, "Honestly... If that was their first time being there it may be that Miranda wasn't the target."

Castle looked at Beckett, "You cannot be serious Beckett. You think somebody is trying to kill my daughter?"

"Well... It makes sense if you think about it. Alexis is there anyone that would want to hurt you?"

Alexis shook her head, "I don't see why there would be... I haven't done anything wrong except go to class."

Kate nodded a little, "Well to be on the safe side I want you under police protection until further notice. That means not leaving the loft at all." Alexis nodded some as if to say okay. "I will have uniforms take you home."

"I just don't think I was the target though Detective Beckett."

"Why? Do you remember something else?

"No... Well... No I don't think so."

"Any small detail could crack the case open Lex."

Alexis sighed some, "I don't know what else there is to say Kate. Houghton and her mom were standing over by where Ms. Storme fell and I was standing a few feet away. Um.. uh... Right before she was shot there was a gust of wind that blew upwards but other than that."

"Upwards?"

"Yeah."

Kate looked at the folder, "Um... You're sure you were a few feet away from here?"

Castle looked at her, "What are you thinking?"

"I'm not sure yet. Alexis, how was Houghton and Miranda standing?"

Alexis thought about it for a minute," Well... Houghton was in front of her mom and Miranda had her arms around her shoulders."

Castle looked up at Alexis, "Um... you said the wind blew upwards?" Alexis nodded. Castle looked at Beckett.

They did their very cute thing of being in sync with each other, "Houghton was the target." They both smiled a little.

Alexis went pale, "What's going to happen with Houghton? Is she going to be safe with social services?"

Kate looked at her, "No... She's not. Excuse me." Kate left the room and went out to the social worker," Okay um.. I'm sorry for this but this child is being placed under police protection. We believe she is the target." The social worker nodded a little. She knew better than to argue with Detective Beckett and she left.

Castle had followed Beckett, "So, what are you going to do with Houghton? She's eight. She can't stay here until we solve this."

"I know, you're right."

Alexis had poked her head out of the door, "Why can't she stay with us? It might be useful to be with someone she knows right now?"

Beckett looked from Alexis to Castle, "That's actually a good idea. What do you think about it Castle?"

"I think it's a good idea. But that doesn't get us any closer to the killer. We need to talk to Houghton."

Beckett nodded, "I agree. Excuse us Alexis." She and Castle walked into the break room. Beckett nodded to the officer, who left the room. Kate sat down at the table by Houghton, "Hi Houghton. I was wondering if we could talk?" Houghton nodded a little but didn't say anything. "Do you know anyone who would want to hurt you or your mom?"

Houghton shook her head sadly, "No... Kate... What's going to happen to me now?"

"Well. Right now, you are going to go to Alexis' for a while with her. We will try and find out where you will go. Is there anything you know about your father?"

"Not really, no."

Kate bit her lip some, "Okay. Well lets talk about something else for a minute. How did you get your name?"

"My mom said that Storme was her dad's last name which she always thought was cool because she was always reading some Derrick Storm book." Castle got a cocky grin on his face at that, which with the glare from Beckett, he wiped it right off his face. Houghton continued, "I got the middle name of Nicole because it was my mom's grandmother's name. As far as Houghton... I never really understood. My mom said that my dad liked the name Houghton. Something to do with some actress? She said that my dad had another child and her name was Houghton too." She shrugged some, "Weird. Two Houghton's."

Kate frowned, "Excuse me guys... I need too..." She got up and left the break room. Castle motioned for Alexis to come sit with Houghton and he went and sat in his chair near his partner's desk where he could sort of hear Beckett's conversation that was just starting. "Hey. It's me. I was thinking maybe you would like to meet me at the precinct and then go to lunch?" She paused to listen, "Okay that sounds great. See you then." She hung up and came and sat down at her desk, "I'm going to post a couple of uniforms outside of your door at the loft and then I was thinking," She leaned in closer and dropped her voice down to a whisper, "That I could also stay there at night? Inside of course."

Castle smiled, "Why Detective Beckett. If I didn't know better I would think that you were trying to come up with an excuse to see me."

Kate rolled her eyes, "Only in your dreams Castle."

Castle laughed a little, "Look at my life, Beckett, my dreams come true."

Kate rolled her eyes, "No need to be an ass Castle. Now is not the time for this conversation, but if it was, I would tell you that I don't need an excuse to come see you. I have a gun. You don't have a choice."

"Oh I don't huh?"

"Not really no." She glanced up at the sound of the elevator dinging, "Um... I have a lunch date." She saw the look on Castle's face of pure jealousy, "Not that kind of date, Castle. I will be over later." She held her hand out to him, to do their 'in-precinct' kiss.

Castle smiled and gently shook her hand. "Until tonight Detective." He watched as Kate went to the elevator and left to go to lunch. Then he went to get the girls so L.T and Hastings could escort them to the loft.