Thanks again for your kind support - you guys are awesome!

A/N: This chapter contains a mention of Ashley, who is no longer with our little Castle - it was written before 4x07 (AKA The best episode EVER :-D)

Michael Zivanovic sat across from Beckett, shoulders heaving with dramatic sobs. Beckett looked on with the distinct impression that his acting was playing a part here. When he had composed himself he spoke more to the table than to Beckett. "That limey bastard. He knew he would infect poor Lana, knew she was way too driven to give up the part of a lifetime to even think about how sick she was... She deserved that part so much." He wept again. Beckett thought this was more out of guilt than anything.

"Michael!" Beckett shouted slightly. "What were you doing at Alana's house during the time of the murder?" She drew her words slowly.

Michael sighed with a shudder. "I went over to Lana's to collect some of my things that were still there. I'd been meaning to for like a month but I was getting lots of work and I couldn't seem to find the time. Anyway, we started talking and it was nice. Real nice. It felt just like the old days you know? She listened to me talk about how my mom was pressuring me to go back to college. You see, I was studying bio-chem for three years. Had all these plans to be a molecular biologist. But then I met Alana, who was doing Theatre at the time, and she just drew me in. Pretty soon, I was spending all my time in the college theatre. Alana introduced me to this whole new person that I didn't even know I was. I found myself in drama, and then in a relationship with Alana. Talking to her about all this, bringing back all these memories. Suddenly she remembered why she fell in love with me."

Next to Beckett, Castle rolled her eyes. Michael didn't see, instead he grinned.

"The make up sex with Alana was electric... God that woman was beautiful."

Beckett spoke forcefully. "What time was this Michael?"

Michael was pulled out of his reverie only slightly. "Uh, maybe like 7:30?"

"We have you leaving the apartment at 8pm."

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Michael said dumbly.

"We estimate that the victim was killed at around 8pm." Beckett stated clearly.

Michael look bewildered. "You mean, whoever killed Lana, might've been there just after me? I-I should've stayed, just a little longer- oh Lana, oh god Lana!" He began to weep uncontrollably.

Castle and Beckett both inhaled, trying to maintain their sanity.

...

It was 7:15 pm and Castle was making an omelette, with the TV blaring incessant advertisements when Alexis walked in the door of the loft.

"Hi honey, you hungry?"

"Hi Dad, no Dad." Alexis bounded up the stairs.

"Hey, hey, hey", Castle called up to her, hurt at not getting even a hug hello. "Where's the fire?"

"Sorry dad, but Ash has got like fifteen minutes before his fraternity meet, and I promised him I'd go online to wish him good luck."

Without another word, Alexis disappeared upstairs.

Martha walked into the kitchen, stealing a piece of celery from Castle's hand.

"Mother, I think I'm losing my baby", Castle said with a pout.

"Oh Richard, you'll always be Alexis' number one man. No matter how many others she might come across in her time, she'll only ever have one father."

"Yeah but I just feel like she doesn't want to hang out as much anymore, she doesn't need me anymore."

Martha looked at her grown son, turning into a puddle in front of her.

"Richard, are you crying?"

"It's the ONIONS!"

Martha patted him on the back.

Castle dried his eyes, while the ads changed on TV.

"Oh great."

"What?"

Castle sneered. "The guy on TV. It's one of our suspects. There's just something about him I reeeally don't like."

On the TV, Michael Zivanovic was saying "Come down to Seafood Planet, and sample some of our delicious calamari. Not to mention our squid, lobster, flatfish, cod, trout..." The ad faded out and Castle chortled.

"Ha, he thinks he's so successful because he keeps getting parts, I'm sure the casting directors were just desperate to find an actor who didn't mind going home smelling like smelly... fish. " Castle's face dropped, as a lightbulb blew in his brain.

"You alright dear?" Martha asked him, picking vegetables off the chopping board.

"Mother, kiss Alexis goodnight for me", Castle said, rushing to get his coat.

"Richard... For the record this could be why Alexis is losing any bond you two once shared!"

But he was already out the door.

...

There was a knock on the door of Beckett's apartment.

Beckett was sitting on her couch, immersed in case notes. She looked at her watch and then frowned in the direction of her front door, wondering who would be calling at this time of the night.

She walked to the door, and opened it. The sight that greeted her was pleasant but not all together surprising.

"Good evening Castle."

"Beckett. Can I come in?" He said, walking inside the apartment.

Beckett stood holding the door open, and squinted, amused. "Well, you just did, so..."

She smiled, shutting the door and turning around to face Castle.

"Have you seen the new ad for Seafood Planet on TV?"

"No. Not much of a fish eater lately Castle. Why?"

"I just saw it. Know who the spokesperson is?"

Beckett raised an eyebrow.

"Michael Zivanovic."

"So, what are you his manager now?"

Castle grimaced. "Yeah right. Beckett, it was an ad... for fish."

Beckett still looked oblivious, but then all at once, she clicked.

"Tetrodotoxin."

Castle nodded, a pleased little smile on his face. "We got him Kate."