Title: A Love Lost

Disclaimer: Two more days until Cuffed. Let the fun begin.

Author's Notes: Yeah, so I totally suck because this chapter took me a while. It was one of those weeks but regardless here is chapter five. Thank you all for reading and please remember to review!

KP, aka Ashley

Five days. Five long, cold, dark days that gave no more leads. Five days since the sniper incident and the hell storm that ensued. The team tried going through all the witness statements again in hope that they missed something. What they couldn't understand was why Henry Wyatt was the intended target. All the others saw the suspect too and managed to give a somewhat (on most accounts) helpful description. But even the tattoo didn't pan out. Nothing in the criminal database came up and without a clear description or view of the tattoo; it was nearly impossible to tell what it was.

Castle thought it looked like a dragon doing the tango. That idea was quickly shot down by Beckett and the boys and was met with glares. Ryan thought that it was a four-leaf clover while Esposito remarked that it looked like a stripper. Beckett just rolled her eyes at the men and their comments. But regardless, they were nowhere towards finding their killer.

In the past five days Beckett had seemed more closed off and distant from Castle; more so than usual. She avoided eye contact, wasn't downing the coffee he brought or made for her every morning, and was practically avoiding him. She would spend her time staring at the murder board or running down possible leads at her desk. Even if Castle tried giving his two-sense about the case she would ignore it.

Beckett's attitude didn't hurt the writer. What hurt was seeing her going through this alone. Of course she wasn't alone but for some things Beckett preferred going solo. Trying to work through her demons along rather than opening up, enduring the hardships of PTSD. The woman spent three months in her father's cabin to get away from it all rather than facing her fears.

He watched with curiosity and worry as she fiddled with the corner of a file. It crinkled under her touch and stayed curled at the edge. He admired from afar hidden within the conference room with Ryan and Esposito. The men were going over video footage of the first murder in attempt to get a better look at the crowd and more importantly their mysterious second man. But he managed to stay hidden in the shadows and must have known where al the cameras were.

Castle continued to gaze at his partner through the glass. It wasn't in a creepy way but more so lovingly and with consideration. Ryan and Esposito continued to bicker about controlling the video footage while Castle resided looking at Beckett. She looked so scared, so helpless. Her eyes darted back and forth from the screen to the rest of the crowded room as if some ominous being was present.

The writer sighed and looked at the men. "I'm worried about Beckett."

Ryan stopped fidgeting and looked at him. "I know what you mean." He said with a sigh. "She hasn't been acting like herself."

Castle shook his head, "Her movements are sporadic, she's nowhere near calm, and she's headed for a downward spiral."

"It's a matter of time until she crashes, bro." Esposito said looking at the screen.

Castle looked at her again, his eyes soft and inviting but riddled with worry. "I just don't know what to do. If I offer coffee she says no. I offer to bring her food and it's an automatic no." He strummed his fingers through his hair briskly out of frustration. "I mean, she hasn't been sleeping or recharging her body since the incident."

"Call her out."

He shook his head. "No, she's been snapping at me more than usual. If I call her out she'll just hate me."

Ryan sighed and looked at his partner. Neither was too concerned about the case but rather their friends.

"Listen Castle, she's not going to stop. She's going to take this case personally because of what happened."

"Then why hasn't Gates said something?" he exclaimed now standing.

This wasn't just another case, this one hit home. The sniper openly took fire on the partners and killed a suspect in front of the twelfth. It was like the sniper looked through that scope with no regret for his actions or to who harmed. Two shots but only one kill. Two deaths if Beckett hadn't grabbed Castle's shirt collar and pulled him down. No, this case was so much more than a run of the mill murder. It was now personal and there was no way of fixing that.

Esposito shrugged, "Look man, Gates is only concerned about finding the killer and making our numbers look good. She has no personal connection towards us like Montgomery did."

"Yeah, plus Gates has been stuck at the commissioner's office going through so much paper work she hasn't had enough time to focus and check in on her detectives."

The writer shook his head in disdain as he looked at his partner again. Even through the blinded glass and cluttered precinct he could see her clearly. Each action magnified as he watched, studying the shadows that crept onto her face. The dark circles that formed from sleepless nights and trying so desperately to find the killer. All her actions were to no avail and didn't help the case in the slightest.

Beckett wasn't acting out but was in super cop mode during an interrogation two days prior. They managed to find the location of the shot but no such luck with the sniper. It was an abandoned building five hundred yards to the west of the precinct. It was one hell of a shot, even Esposito gave the sniper propped on that, but regardless it didn't lead them toward the intended suspect.

Miraculously CSU found a partial print on a window frame and had a name. Marcus Knea had been convicted once before on criminal charges and had been popped numerous times on gun possession. When cops had searched his place they found a rifle that hadn't been licensed.

"What were you thinking when you pulled that trigger?" Beckett questioned standing tall against the two-way mirror. "Did it feel right or did you even consider your actions?"

Knea looked her in the eye, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Bullshit." She said calmly as she stared down Knea. "You held that rifle in your hands and felt like God. You've killed before, I can see it in your eyes without reading your file again."

"Always in self defense."

Beckett shook her head, "In '08 you killed a guy in a bar fight. You used a .48 caliber and shot the man through the stomach."

"He provoked the fight and I simply defended myself."

She eyed him taking a step closer. "What does it feel like to see your victim squirm? Try to hide the second you pull out a gun and make them beg for their life?"

"I killed with a purpose."

"Yeah, that's what we call motive. But I'm having some trouble seeing the motive behind your ex-wife. You shot her through the chest, punctured her heart right away. All she felt were the tears in her eyes, her voice caught in her throat as she screamed for mercy, and the bullet that killed her."

The detective took another step closer and could see that Knea was fuming quietly in his seat.

"I think you liked it. You had the chance to play God and take someone's life away. You had that chance to break someone and take all their hopes and dreams away in an instant. That rifle of yours must feel magical and seeing the blood, well that must have the same effect."

That's when Knea lost it. He pounded a fist on the table and stood up in anger. "Who the hell do you think you are? I loved my ex but when she came at me with a knife trying to kill me I had to react."

Beckett shrugged, "Well thank God you had your gun."

"I killed her because I had to, just like that bar fight."

"No, you killed her because you wanted to. Just like Sarah Vazquez and Henry Wyatt you felt like killing them. You killed Sarah because of her engagement and you killed Wyatt to cover up your crime."

"I didn't kill anyone!" he shouted.

Castle just sat there amazed at the exchange. He had seen Beckett act like this a few times before, all those times she was on fire. Something raging through her as she feverously interrogated the suspect. It was beyond amazing to watch Beckett work her magic in the interrogation room. This one circumstance nearly matched her tenacity when she questioned Vulcan Simmons, or Dick Coonan, or even Hal Lockwood.

"Why was your fingerprint found at the sniper's shot location?"

"I needed a place to stay a few weeks ago. When I got kicked out of my place I found this building and stayed there."

Beckett scoffed, "And I'm supposed to believe that? You've seen your rap sheet, Knea, this has you written all over it."

"Then I want a lawyer, that or check my alibi."

It was nearly a screaming match between the two. Castle finally interjected as Beckett was going in for the kill. She was ready to strike but held back because her partner spoke.

"Kate, back off. Come on," he stood quickly holding her arm.

She tried to shift out of his touch but he held on firmly. He began moving away from the table all while holding his partner back.

"I will get you for murder, I promise." She tried to fight Castle but he moved in front of her blocking her with both arms and his chest. "I'm coming for you!"

Castle studied her shaking his head. It was a struggle to focus on the case. Even after that Beckett snapped at him. He tried calling her out then and she snapped. That look of rage frightened him.

"Go home, Castle. I don't need you here."

Her voice hitched and sounded as if all she wanted to do was break down and cry. Her eyes, though still clouded with rage, were also wet as she spoke. There was a moment between the two that Castle loved but also hated.

He blinked back the small tears that formed as he stared helplessly at his partner. The writer stood abruptly smoothing his jacket. Rather than voicing his next step he walked out the door. Ryan and Esposito didn't say a word and stayed behind the computer monitor. When it came to Castle and Beckett it was better not to interrupt.

The writer approached his partner hesitantly as she continued fooling with the folder's corner. She didn't even realize he was there until his large hand firmly grasped her shoulder.

"Can we talk?" he asked looking down at her.

Beckett's eyes traveled up to his and she ran his slender fingers through her hair nervously. "Castle, I've got a lot to do and-"

"Kate, please?"

His voice was pleading and tender. His fingers rubbed small circles on her shoulder. Castle made it nearly impossible for the detective to decline and finally she complied. She stood with a nod and followed her partner into the break room.

Beckett wondered what Castle was hiding and what this meeting was about. Perhaps he wanted to talk about her attitude lately? No, Castle tended to stray away from something like that. Then what?

The writer sat on the couch leaning forward. She sat opposite him and studied his expression. It was weary like hers and told her that he too hadn't been sleeping well these past few nights.

He cleared his throat and began. "I think you should head home."

Beckett shook her head looking down at her hands. "I can't believe that's what you wanted-"

"Kate," he said cutting her off. "You're tired and overworked. There hasn't been a lead besides Knea and he even checked out. Please, let me take you home or call you a cab. You need to rest."

She folded her arms over her chest tightly keeping herself locked up rather than exposed. Beckett stood before him looking toward the espresso machine. She didn't want contact or for him to even look at her with that sympathetic gaze. It drilled into her soul and there was no way of recovering from it.

Beckett shook her head looking up at him. Her jaw was tight as she spoke. "I am tired, so damn tired." It looked like she was holding back tears but he knew how strong his partner was. That tenacious force of hers, her strong work ethic, all things that he was instantly drawn to. "Ever since the sniper," she trailed off looking to a corner of the room.

Castle took a step closer extending his hands slowly but keeping his distance. "I know you want to catch this guy. He's taunting us and flaunting his secrecy in our faces. But we'll get him, we always do." He sighed looking down from her eyes to her pink lips. There was only a slight quiver that he noticed, ever so slight. "Right now though, if you want to catch this guy then you need to walk away just for the night. Have a nice glass of wine, an amazing bubble bath, and even maybe a good book."

Beckett gave him a weak smile. "I'm out of wine and bubbles."

"Then I'll get you more, I'm even willing to lend you a few books if necessary. All I want is for you get over this. I won't push, I'll keep my distance but you need something to drive you other than work. One day, that tenacity of yours will be the end of you."

She looked at him again and could see how serious he was. Castle never spoke out of turn or with the intention to hurt her. The only reason he said things like this was to keep the detective, his partner, in check. He had to try so hard to keep Beckett in the real world rather than jumping down that rabbit hole and never coming out again. If she didn't come back, well he didn't know what he would do with himself frankly.

The detective took a shaky breath and nodded, "Fine,"

Castle took another step forward to leave but Beckett put her hand out. "But you come with me."

Her demand shocked the writer. Beckett wasn't the type to have company especially when trying to work through personal issues. Perhaps this was another attempt of her opening up. The first time she did that Castle told her no. He could tell the only reason she brought up in the first place was out of sympathy. Beckett was trying so hard to keep him there, which he appreciated but at the same time disliked. She was so much stronger than this she just needed a reminder.

He nodded, "Always."

The partners left the break room in silence. Neither mentioned to Ryan or Esposito that they were leaving, the detectives saw their departure. It was none of their business; Espo would take Beckett aside later on while Ryan made some wise-ass comment about it. Their demeanor was always out of love and respect for the female detective.

They went through the normal motions; the elevator ride down to the garage, standing near each other but no closer than normal, and the sheer silence drumming through their ears. The silence was another one of their unspoken agreements to one another. Beckett was too busy trying to think of the next step and what to do rather than the case. But that damn sniper loomed over her and continued to rear its ugly head.

She headed for the drivers side like usual and Castle took his normal seat, but they didn't get far.

"Kate," Castle called out as she dropped. Then it went black.

Beckett began to stir, her head pounding and an annoying ringing in her ears. She felt like she was either run over by a truck or possibly suffering a hangover. No, she hadn't drunken anything. The last thing she remembered, what was it that she remembered? Was she holding something? Whatever it was smelled amazing and had a distinct smell to it. She recognized the scent but couldn't pinpoint to what or whom it belonged to. The detective's eyelids slowly opened, a bit dazed but they opened nonetheless. Her nose was pressed against something soft and yet firm, so contrasting that it confused her. Beckett moved more and could feel another hand latched to her own.

Now her eyes were fully opened and a small smile crept onto her face. Had she really fallen asleep next to Castle and was now spooning? She was never one to spoon but this, what was the reasoning? Beckett tried moving slightly but realized that her hand was connected to her partner's. When her arm moved so did his and vice versa.

"What the hell," she muttered to herself propped up on her right elbow. Her soft highlighted brown hair was swept off to one side.

Everything about this situation confused her. What the hell happened to them? Beckett tried to remember everything about the day before but came up short. It was all a blur and all she could remember were flashing lights and a few muted noises.

She winced as she moved up more sprawling her open hand on the mattress. "Castle," the detective said in a frantic tone. "Castle wake up before I kick your ass."

He stirred slightly, "Can't we just sleep in, Kate?" his voice was gruff and sexy regardless of their situation.

"Castle, so help me,"

He let out a groan and titled his head back. Castle couldn't help but look at their hands first; they were still intertwined.

"Not that I don't like you invading my personal space but why are we spooning?"

Beckett realized that she hadn't released his hand and quickly pulled her hand back slightly. That's when her partner noticed the cuffs.

"This is new,"

"Castle now is not the time for jokes. I think someone kidnapped us."

He rolled onto his back slightly through she was still nearly pressed up against his back. "What was your first clue?"

"Shut up smart-ass." Beckett propelled herself forward bringing Castle with her. She said with her arm crossed over her body and ahead of him.

The writer rubbed his eyes looking around the small dark room. There was no way of telling what time it was. There was barely any light other than a small overhead bulb that made an incessant hum. "What time is it?"

Beckett looked to her wrist but it was bare. "My watch is gone," she said patting her pants. "Shit, so is my gun and badge."

Castle looked at his wrist too and shouted in anger. His Rolex was missing, "I can't find my wallet or phone. If this is a robbery gone wrong then that jackass better at least spend my money on practical things."

"Castle I understand that you're afraid of credit card fraud with your millions and all but my service weapon and badge are missing. If I can't find those or lose them for good my job is on the line."

"Don't most cops have a dupe?"

She shook her head with a huff, "No, we get in a hell of a lot more trouble if we're caught with a dupe badge than losing it. It's way cheaper to just order a new badge through the precinct."

The pair examined the room once more looking for a way out, anything that could lead them in the right direction or give them a chance to safety. But the room appeared to be locked up tight and the walls looked sturdy to their dismay.

A small hum flooded the room and the partners looked for the source.

"Detective and writer," the voice was low and was certainly a man's. Neither heard the voice before but it wasn't disguised. "I've taken you here for a reason."

"Trying to cover up your crimes you coward?" Castle shouted still looking for the source.

Beckett elbowed him, "First rule when you're kidnapped, do not piss off your kidnapper. One would think you would have learned."

He shrugged, "Oh please, me learn? Even after 3XK I didn't learn."

"I took you because your investigation has gone far enough. You know too much already."

"Listen pal, our friends will find us."

There was a dark and ominous laugh that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "No they won't, I've made sure of that. Neither of you will get out of here so I would get comfortable because you'll be stuck together for a while. Till death do you part."

Castle looked at Beckett, "Did we just get married?"

She sighed, "This jackass is just being smug."

Her partner looked somewhat dejected but perked up again. "I swear if this is another Saw movie I'll scream. They've already made about ten of them."

"It's actually seven, Castle. Brush up on your horror films."

He held up his hands bringing her left up with him. "So sorry that I can't be as amazing as you, detective."

Beckett shook her head and looked around the room once more. There was nothing descriptive of the space. It had darkened corners that were difficult to see, shrouded in the shadows and waiting to be explored.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

Castle shrugged examining the space, "We were going to your cruiser, I saw you fall and then,"

"It went black?"

He nodded, "I don't get it, who's behind this and for what reason?"

"You heard the guy, Castle," Beckett said turning to look at him. "We were getting too close. It has to be the sniper."

Castle nodded and looked down at their hands. They were close to each other on the mattress and his knees were nearly in her back. Everything about this scenario felt rushed and unplanned. Almost like the sniper just decided on a whim to take the two.

"Wait, how could he have gotten into the garage?"

"People can come in and out of the precinct and you don't need a card to get into the garage from inside the precinct, only when you want to park there."

The writer adjusted himself on the mattress and leaned forward. "So it's possible that this guy could have been pretending to be an officer so no one would give him a second glance?"

Beckett sighed rubbing her back with her right hand. She winced and rubbed a small circle on her lower back. "It's possible,"

Castle watched her movements and could see the strain in her shoulders, the fact that her muscles were tense and overworked, and the small shudder as she worked her lower back.

"Is something wrong?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, my back itches."

Castle's eyes widened as he reached toward her with an open right hand. "Mind if I take a look?"

It wasn't a comeon but out of concern for her wellbeing, at least that's what she told herself. For all the detective knew it could have been a flea or some other bug that bit her, but from this situation her instincts told her something else.

She nodded calmly as her partner took hold of her shirt and lifted it slightly. Instantly the cold air rushed on her skin causing goosebumps to arise. His warm hand spread over the area as his thumb brushed across the area that itched. His fingers inched her skin gently as they tenderly grasped her side. Castle's left hand rested lower on her hip closer to her butt. Though his left hand was on denim it still felt warm and completely right. His touch was so gentle that it shocked her.

"You have a small red mark," he said clearing his throat.

Beckett tried regaining her control as fire danced over her skin. She didn't shy away from his touch and allowed his hands to stay in place.

"Do you think we were drugged?"

Her partner shrugged, "I don't feel itchy."

She peered over her shoulder looking up at his eyes. "Let me see." Beckett turned in his arms but his hands simple went with the motion. They glided over bare and denim clad skin and took hold once she could see him better. She examined his skin first looking at his arms and noticed the fine red mark from the cuffs. There was nothing else on his arms but she continued her search.

Beckett gently untucked his shirt in the front. Her fingers ghosted over his skin and sent the same spark spreading through his just as he had done. Still nothing but she wasn't giving up just yet. The detective unbuttoned his shirt a bit more staring at his chest. She didn't see the whole picture but the sneak preview was satisfying. Right there under his clavicle she noticed a small red dot. His skin looked irritated in only that one place. Beckett's fingers traced the area as Castle's chin dropped to examine his skin.

"It's just a little red."

"Kate, I don't have a good feeling about this."

She nodded in agreement staring at his skin and her fingers still resting there against the soft warm skin. Everything about this scene had danger written all over it.

Author's Notes: So that's that. And before any of you jump to conclusions or start yelling I had this idea for a while, since chapter one actually. When I started writing this fic I decided that I wanted to connect Kill Shot and Cuffed together somehow. Regardless of how overjoyed I've been with all the sneaks from this Monday's episode I was also a little disappointed because they resembled some of my initial ideas for this story. I am not trying to upstage either of the episodes simply because this show is fantastic and I love it to death. All I'm doing is sticking with my original plan and weaving some things in as I go.

I hope you're all enjoying this story because I'm having a blast writing it. Though it's taking me some time to write the chapters and all I'm still having a fabulous time with this story. I won't make any promises for when the next chapter will come out simply because I've gone back on my word twice so far. Once more, my apologies but the next chapter will be out within the week.

KP, aka Ashley