Here's chapter 5. Hope you like it!

Reason: Chapter 5

I woke up bright and early this morning. I had actually set my alarm clock. So at 7am, I was dressed and ready for the day. Or I would be ready. After some breakfast.

Alexis was already in the kitchen. No textbook this morning, she must have finished her homework last night.

I had gotten home around nine last night. Beckett had told me to go home around seven but I hadn't wanted to head back yet. Instead, I went for a walk and thought more about the case. Nothing had come to me. Alexis had been on a date with Ashley and hadn't been home until eleven. She popped her head into the study to tell me she was home then went to bed.

I walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the head.

"Morning, darling." She smiled at me.

"Hey Dad. You're up early." I snatched a piece of toast from her plate and bit into it, waggling my eyebrows at her when she tried to grab it back.

"Really, Dad? Toast stealing?" She tried to look annoyed but failed miserably. "Can't you make your own?"

"But yours always tastes so much better!" She rolled her eyes (where did she learn that?) and walked over to me. She gave me a hug.

"Have a good day solving murders, Dad."

"Will do." I squeezed her back. "And you learn something, okay?" She withdrew from the embrace and skipped away.

"I always do, Dad. I'm not you." She called over her shoulder.

"You pain me, offspring." I heard her bubbling laugh.

"You'll live. Love you!" And with that, she was gone. I finished her toast and left the loft. I had to hurry. My mother would be awake soon and Martha in the morning is not something anyone should witness.

Oo..oO

Today, she looked beautiful. Her hair was tied up but small tendrils had fallen out and framed her face. She looked tired. I wondered if she had slept at all. Sometimes she forgot to. I walked towards her with her coffee, a peace offering for yesterday. Yes, I know she forgave me and we had a moment but I still felt as if things were off.

She looked up when she heard my footsteps. I smiled at her and held up the coffee. She looked at it lovingly and took it from me, our fingers touching for a brief moment.

Our eyes met. My breath stopped.

"Can I have the coffee, Castle?" she asked, slightly amused. I mentally shook myself and loosened my hand.

"Yeah, sure." Beckett smiled at me.

"Thanks." She eyed the bag in my hand pointedly. She had also forgotten to eat, it seemed.

"Oh, you want one?" I held the bag up. "What're the magic words?" Her face went neutral.

"Castle."

"Nope, not that."

"Castle, give it!" She looked kind of angry. I really shouldn't be doing this to her. I was about to give her the bag when it was snatched out of my hand.

"Hey, thanks, bro!" It was Esposito. I hadn't noticed him sneaking up. Now Becketts focus was on him.

"Give it here," she said slowly, "Or I will put you on traffic duty for the foreseeable future."

Esposito paused in the middle of opening the bag. He looked at her nervously and she narrowed her eyes. She meant business. Esposito sighed and tossed the bag to her.

"Good choice, Esposito," she said, opening the bag happily.

At that moment Ryan, who had been on the phone, stood up.

"The mother says that Albeni didn't have a girlfriend. At least, not that she knew about. But we got a number for his best friend."

"What about the brother?" asked Beckett, pastry frozen halfway to her mouth.

"She doesn't know. Hasn't heard from him in four months," Ryan said, sounding weary. Apparently, it wasn't only Beckett who pulled an all-nighter. That, or he was just frustrated by the absence of the brother. Beckett let out a deep breath.

"Call the friend, get him to come in." Ryan nodded and sat back down.

I sat in my seat as well. "Didn't you go home last night, Beckett?"

"Yeah, didn't sleep well though," She muttered, sounding a little angry. Oh? Trouble with Josh, perhaps? I mentally crossed my fingers.

"Why, what happened?" She looked up and shook her head slightly in a gesture that spoke of many, many things having gone wrong.

"Nothing," she said, looking back down at her paperwork, "Just a bad night."

And that was the most I would get from her. I heard Ryan talking to the victims friend.

"Thank you, we appreciate the co-operation." He ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, good bye."

He hung up the phone. "He's on his way." Beckett nodded.

"Better finish that, then," I told her with a smile, glancing at the barely touched pastry. "After all, you had to fight Esposito for it." With a small smile she popped a piece in her mouth.

Oo..oO

"How did you know Colten Albeni, Mr. Gallagher?" We sat in the break room, we were just questioning him, not interrogating. Aaron Gallagher had short cut blond hair and delicate facial features. His eyes were a deep chocolate brown. They were a little watery at the moment. He lifted his head from his hands.

"Uh, he's-he was my best friend," He looked confused, as if the death of his friend made him question his entire reality. It probably did. "We were supposed to- to go for drinks tonight," He let out a humourless laugh. "Pick up girls,"

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Mr. Gallagher," Her voice was full of compassion. She knew what he was going through.

"Yeah,' he said absentmindedly, running a hand through his hair. A solitary tear fell from his eye. "He was my best friend. I can't- It's not-" His voice was halting and choked.

"This may be a difficult question but did you know if Colten had any enemies? Anyone who would want to hurt him?"

"No, everyone who met him loved him. He just had this quality..." His voice trailed off.

"Can you tell us more about the robbery charges?" Aaron looked up suddenly.

"Colten had to do that. His brother pressured him into helping." His sounded defensive and I could tell Beckett picked up on that.

"Of course. Could you tell us what happened?"

"Tristen got into something bad, Colten wouldn't tell me what. He really needed money. He lives across from a flea market and noticed that there's a lot of jewellery there. I don't know how he convinced Colt to do it, but do it he did. They robbed a flea market. A goddamn flea market."

We knew this from the file but it was good to hear confirmation.

"Do you know if Tristen needed more help?" Aaron shook his head, looking down.

"Did Colten have any new friends or people in his life?"

"No. It was just me. He- he was like my brother." Aaron had yet to look up again. Beckett put her hand to her forehead. Knowing Beckett, this meant that the interview was coming to a close. I could see it too. Aaron was becoming unresponsive.

"One last question, Mr. Gallagher," Beckett paused, waiting to see if he would look up. He didn't. "Will you please let us know if you remember anything?" Aaron nodded and stood. Then he looked Beckett in the eyes. I could see sorrow in his eyes but also anger and determination.

"Find who did this to him," He said firmly, "And punish them,"

"We will find the killer, Mr. Gallagher," Her face softened slightly. "Thank you for your time,"

Aaron nodded and walked out. I turned to Beckett.

"What do you think?" She looked out after Aaron, her eyes holding a look if mistrust.

"I think he's hiding something." I nodded, I'd felt the same thing.

"Like what?" I asked, staring at her. She turned to meet my gaze.

"I don't know, let's find out."

A/N: Well, I'm almost completely out of inspiration. I would really appriciate a review, even if it's telling me how much you hate the story. Critisism is always helpful. I'm slightly alarmed by the lack of reviews.

The flea market robbery is a real thing. It happened in my city and the guys even brought guns. Pretty crazy.