Eight hours and no ballistic match later the detectives and agents decided to call it a night. Picking up their stuff Castle said, "I'll see you at mine in an hour," he handed Gibbs a piece of paper with his address on, "I'll tell the door man you're coming and he'll sort you out with what floor."

Gibbs nodded his thanks and he and his team left to return to their hotel and clean up before going to Castle's later.

After watching them leave Castle turned to Beckett, "So Beckett, you looking forward to tonight?"

"Don't know Castle, I never did say I was going," she said in a serious tone.

Castle's face dropped slightly and Beckett actually felt a little bad, "Of course I'm coming Castle."

His face lit up again then he stood and grabbed his coat from the back of his chair. "See you in an hour Beckett."

Beckett smiled, "See you Castle."

An hour later there was a knock at the door, Castle went and opened it and was greeted by the sight of the 12th precinct detectives and the NCIS agents all standing and chatting. Smiling Castle opened the door further and stepped back to let them all in. after taking their coats and hanging them over the stair rail there was Castle turned back to the group but before he could say anything they all heard, "Guests Richard?"

Beckett smiled at the older women, "Hello Martha."

"Hey Mrs. Rogers," Esposito and Ryan said together.

"Kate my dear. Hello detectives," Martha said, walking down the stairs, "So Richard who are all these people?"

Behind Castle, Tony whispered to Ziva, "Red head alert." Ziva smiled then put her fingers on her lips, telling him to shush.

"Mother, I'd like you to meet forensic scientist Abby Sciuto and ME Dr. Mallard, or Ducky. And these are special agents Tony DiNozzo, Ziva David, Tim McGee and…"

Martha cut across him, "Hello Jethro. Long-time no see."

"Agent Gibbs," Castle finished lamely.

Tony, Ziva and McGee all looked at each other and Ziva raised her eyebrow.

Martha walked over to Gibbs and stood in front of him, "How are Shannon and Kelly?"

The three agents shared anther look but this time it was a look of shock.

"Dead," Gibbs answered in a flat voice.

"Jethro, I'm so sorry, I didn't know." She then showed considerable restraint and instead of hugging him simply reached out and squeezed his shoulder.

"It was a long time ago Martha," he looked at Castle, "I didn't realise he was your son."

Martha smiled, "He decided that Rogers wasn't a very authory name."

"Authory, mother is that even a word?" Castle asked, his gaze switching between the two older people.

Martha shrugged, "If it wasn't it is now."

Beckett smiled at the banter that was so Castle and Martha, then asked the question everyone wanted the answer to, "How do you two know each other?"

Tony, Ziva, McGee and Abby all listened with interest while Esposito and Ryan made themselves comfortable on the sofa and Ducky sat on the chair.

"Most have been what, twenty three years ago," Martha said, when Gibbs nodded she continued, "Kelly must have been about five and they watched a play I was in and after Kelly wandered off and ended up in my dressing room. She was a lovely little girl and she talked and talked until Jethro and Shannon found her. We got to talking and ended up going out for a meal the next night. I kept in touch for a year or so but then we just sort of grew apart and stopped writing."

Castle face suddenly lit up, "I remember that meal, I was on my best behaviour, right up until the waiter tripped and I couldn't stop laughing."

Gibbs smiled, "Yeah and Kelly couldn't stop giggling."

Taking a closer look at Gibbs' face Martha saw that he looked sad and turned to Castle, "Are you cooking Richard." He nodded and she smiled at Gibbs, "We'll I'll sort that out and you can entertain. Care to join me Gibbs, we have a lot of catching up to do."

Castle nodded, "Thanks mother, Gibbs can make sure you don't give us all sodium poisoning."

Martha shook her head then she and Gibbs quickly walked over to the kitchen and began talking quietly between themselves.

Castle watched them go then turned to the rest of the people gathered, "Well that was different."

Beckett smiled, "I'm surprised that Martha didn't hug him to death honestly."

Castle looked at her and smiled then turning to the rest of the group asked, "What does everyone want to drink? I've got wine, beer, water, soda." After getting everyone's order he walked into the kitchen to get it all.

Lanie sat on the sofa next to Esposito and Beckett sat on the arm next to her. Tony offered the other chair to Ziva but she refused and sat on the arm. Abby and McGee stood for a moment longer then made themselves comfortable on the floor, leaning back against Ducky's chair. Turning to Beckett Lanie said, "So Esposito tells me that you're going undercover in a biker gang tomorrow."

Beckett nodded then turned to Ziva, "Oh that reminds me," she stood and went to the door and after picking up the bag she had left with her coat she came back and handed the bag to Ziva, "Jacket and boots."

Ziva nodded her thanks and opened the bag, she pulled out the jacket and put the bag and the boots on the floor in front of her. She stood and put on the jacket before turning to Beckett and asking, "This is a well fit?"

"It's meant to be a good fit Ziva, and yes it looks good, you look good," Tony said, smiling at her.

She blushed slightly then looked at Beckett, who nodded. "Looks good Ziva."

Castle then came back with the drinks and saw her and smiled, "Suits you Ziva." Castle looked over at Tony, "I'll go get yours, just give me a sec." After handing out the drinks Castle went into his room and returned a few minutes later and tossed Tony a leather jacket.

Tony quickly stood and tried it on. Turning he asked, "What do ya think?"

Abby wolf whistled and Tony took a bow, "Thank you, thank you."

Ziva shook her head and took off her jacket, putting it back into the bag. Tony smiled and then asked, "Can I put this in their too?" he asked, pulling of the jacket. Ziva nodded and Tony shoved it in on top. "Thanks Castle."

"Thanks Beckett."

The writer and muse nodded.

Beckett turned back to Lanie and apologised, "Sorry Lanie, you were saying?"

Lanie smiled, "You are aware that if you want to fit in with the bikers you're going to have to be a lot more touchy feely than you normally are."

"Touchy feely Lanie?" Beckett questioned.

"Oh you know. That biker case a couple of years ago, remember you told me how they threw themselves at each other."

Lanie's smile got wider as she saw the cogs turning in Beckett's head and the quick glance she threw at Castle. Lanie turned to Ziva and Tony, "That goes for you two too."

Tony and Ziva looked at each other then Ziva smiled, "We should be fine, we've been married before."

Tony laughed at the faces looking at the two of them, "We were undercover, not actually married."

Lanie shook her head and turned back to Beckett, "Those two should be fine, you and Castle not so much. The only other time you've got close was when you kissed to distract that guard when you were saving the boys." Beckett's eyes widened and Lanie clamped her hand over her mouth, "I wasn't meant to say that."

Esposito and Ryan gave each other a look and then at the same time said, "You two kissed!"