Alex left the mobster. Called Kate then gave her the name of the witness. And said he was returning to the precinct. After entering the precinct he waved at officer of the desk. He waved back. I guess Patrick was too busy for a chat today.

Alex stood waiting for that nemesis of the precinct, the balky elevator. I swear this thing gets worse everyday Alex fumed. Finally the elevator opened to the floor and Alex got in waiting to see if today was going to be the one when it quit working all together. Alex thought just my luck being stuck in an elevator with Karpowski. As Alex looked over at the other detective. She was smaller than Kate. She was in command and had the same grade as Kate. Her team was one of 4 Homicide teams assigned to the Precinct while the Captain was in charge of not only Homicide but every other dept in the precinct.

I often wonder why the Captain of the precinct kept his office on the Homicide floor? Most Captains had their office on the 1st floor behind Personnel. It was just another quirk Alex wondered about. Another thing why does he not have a secretary like all the other precinct captains? This Captain Montgomery was very different indeed! Finally, after a very long time the elevator doors opened on the 4th floor. Karpowski arms laden with files shuffled off to her side of the squad room. Alex strode purposefully toward Esposito's desk.

"Jimmy 'the Rat' Morin aka Jimmy Pretty is an enforcer to the Splano family", Said Esposito as he pointed him out from the picture on the computer screen.

"If you wanted to inspire loyalty why would you name him 'The Rat'?" Ryan quipped.

"Ok if we want to interview this guy official channels will not do", Kate said.

Alex nodded and thought official channels never get you anywhere. It is your connections with people or assets which get you what you want. Kate has an in with that irate FBI agent. I bet she will used that to get an interview from Morin.

Kate did exactly that.

Alex got a text from Max

The kid's clean. Meet tomorrow evening regular place.

Alex knew where the regular place was a small watch repair shop across the street from the Russian mission in New York. Alex went home to prepare for the night to meet the prom date.

He had his severed head and the lab coat smeared with fake blood. He heard the doorbell ring.

Alex cackled," It is show time!"

Alexis coming down the stairs saw her father going toward the door.

"Dad! No severed Head and take off that coat!"

Alex grumbled about the time honored tradition.

Alexis was splendid in her wonderful dress as she said once again to her father, "I mean it No!"

Alexis opened the door to see Owen her date for the prom.

Owen said shyfully, "Hi"

Alexis responded, "Hi" as she smiled demurely at him.

Martha asked, "Do you want to come in?"

Alexis stepped aside and Owen stepped next to her.

Alex was in the background Videoing the meet.

Owen said nervously," I got you a corsage. It goes on your wrist." Owen clumsily attached the corsage to Alexis wrist and smiled. Alexis smiled back.

Alex said," Waitttt! Whooaaa! Don't I get to ask if he had killed anyone?"

Alexis looking stern at her father rolled her eyes said, "Daddy, He hasn't! But I might!"

Alex thinking over his options said," Alright you two go have fun do not do what I would do!"

Martha closing the door said,"Enjoy yourselves!"

Alex in the background said, " Have fun!"

Alex said," My little girl is all grown up." Alex thinking about the future.

Martha said," At least one of you are."

Alex got a phone call from Kate. "Castle we have a meet in an hour."

Alex joined Kate at her car soon they were sitting in an abandoned parking garage.

Alex said,"Can they not get anymore stereotypical? I suppose they will appear in a black SUV!"

Alex having plenty of contacts never chose abandon garages there is too much risk! Contacting in crowds was the only way to have security. However, with a high profile target as this guy that certainly would not make it. A few minutes later 3 Black SUV pulled up next to Kate's car. Agent Sorenson came over and told Kate she had 15 minutes with the witness.

Kate and Alex got out of her car and climbed into the front seat of the SUV. Jimmy the Rat was seated in the back seat with bandages covering his face.

Kate started the interview.

Mr Morin, I am Kate Beckett this is Richard Castle we would like to interview you over the death of Dr. Joshua Leeds. The Doctor who performed the surgery on your face. I would like to know if you know a hit person who uses a plastic bag tied off with Duct Tape?

Morin visibly agitated said," Yeah , That was MY MO they are sending me a message. Let get out of Here! Kate and Alex were removed from the vehicle as the feds rushed to get the witness back to the safe house.

Kate and Alex sat in the car as the 3 SUV's sped away at a very high rate of speed.

Kate looked at Alex said, "Something spooked that witness."

After returning to the precinct, the captain came over and said,"Kate, I have some bad news for you. The convoy was ambushed a couple of blocks away from the meeting place. Agent Sorenson was injured. The witness was injured and both are at the hospital."

Kate rushed to the hospital along with the Captain and Alex. The boys were there at the waiting room when they arrived. The Captain explained the way the ambush took place.

Kate feeling it was her fault walked away after learning that her ex boyfriend was still in surgery.

Alex sensing she needed someone to support her stood next to her.

"Do you want to talk?"

"There is nothing to talk about. I pushed for this and I lead them to the meet. If I was a better cop I would have noticed we were followed."

Alex knowing better knew they were not followed because his team did not alert him. Nor did he see anything suspicious on the way to the meet. No! there was a leak on the Justice Dept side.

Alex looking very seriously at Kate, "You think this is your fault? Yeah, you pushed for it. Not because it is your job but because you care. Most people come up against a wall they give up. Not you! You don't let go. You don't back down. It is what makes you extraordinary."

Ryan came up with the news that Sorenson was out of surgery. He will make it. He will be ok.

Kate sighed a breath of relief on hearing that news.

Alex left the hospital knowing Kate was better now that her friend was no longer in mortal danger.

Alex entered the loft and sat down on his chair. It had been a hell of a night. Alex leaned back and drifted off to sleep. Alex was awakened when the door to the loft was opened.

Opening his sleep filled eyes he saw his little girl quietly enter the room along with Owen at the door. They stood face to face then Owen leaned down and Kissed her on the lips.

Alex asked,"Did you have fun?"

Alexis biting her bottom lip first spoke," As a matter of fact, I did! This dating thing is kind of nice."

"How was Owen? Don't worry I closed my eyes for the kissing part", Alex said.

Alexis said dreamily, "Me too. "

Alexis snickered, " You know you did not have to wait up."

Alex replied, " It's my job to wait up for my little girl. To make sure you are alright. But tonight I realized I will not be doing this for much longer.

Alexis looked at her father with loving eyes saying,"Dad..."

Alex continued, " In a couple of years you will be going to College. Get married and have kids of your own. I am only going to see you on holidays. Until some golddigger steals all my money then I will get move in you and the kids!"

Alexis humoring Alex said, " Wow, it seems like I lost 30 years of my life."

"That is how it happens. One day you are in tutus. The next day you are too old for severed heads."

Alex got up out of the chair and stood in front of his daughter.

"Dad, don't worry no matter how old I get I will still be your little girl." Alexis said with eyes shimering.

"Promise?"

"Promise!"

Alexis kissed her father on the cheek as he wrapped her in a hug.

"Now go to bed" ,Alexis said.

Alex watched his child ascend the stairs and pass out of sight.