Thank you for reading.

Ryan sat on the edge of Espo's desk. The boys were trying to ascertain what in the hell was going on with Beckett, she'd been acting weird lately.

"You don't think she hooked up with anyone over the week-end? Ryan asked incredulously.

"'Nah' man you saw how she was before he called." Espo shook his head.

"He, being Castle?" Ryan was trying to wrap his brain around this.

"What in the hell are you smokin'? Of course Castle." Javi's eyebrow shot up.

"I don't know Javi," Ryan rubbed his hand across his chin, she looks different." He stared off in the distance lost in thought, "I think this is more than just phone calls."

The elevator opened, Kate emerged. She could tell by the guilty looks, The Boys' were discussing her. She needed a new game plan, especially if she had a shot in hell of pulling this off.

Kate's desk phone rang, "Beckett"

"Detective, its Agent Shaw, I am in charge Task force, the Tyson case, AKA 3XK. I understand you have a cold case that may be related. I will be at your office," Shaw looked at her watch, and calculated the time needed to get to New York, "Three o'clock. I would like you and your team to brief me on the case."

How in the Hell did they? ….Lanie, she called to send the samples of the rope. Shaw's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Is there a problem Kate?"

"…No… no, three o' clock will be fine." Kate turned and placed the handset in the cradle. She looked up and informed the guys. "It appears the FBI just hijacked our case," Kate spun around, "Agent Shaw is arriving at three today for a briefing."

"So our boy is nationwide?" Javi walked over to Kate's desk and sat on the edge.

"It would appear," Kate looked up at Javi; she rolled away from her desk to make eye contact with Ryan.

Ryan, will you run a search on the data base, and see if there are any other cold cases that match C.O.D. Strangulation using a ligature.

"On it," Ryan turned and began to search on his computer, he fingers flying over the keyboard. He typed in the search fields, and waited for the computer to run the sort.

For the time being the focus was off Kate. That's what she thought until she looked at Espo. He was studying her like she was some kind of science project.

"What?" she asked more startled than annoyed.

Espo smirked, he leaned over and said quietly, "I know something is going on, I just want you to know, that I know and I'm gonna find out what." He watched her tense up, and then he leaned closer, "I know writer boy is involved." He heard her sharp intake of breath, she wasn't exhaling. Espo smiled Bingo. He needed to talk to Lanie. He'd made his point to Kate, he slowly removed himself from the edge of her desk taking his own sweet time, he enjoyed every second of it. She wasn't the only one with mad interrogation skills. He walked out of the bull-pen toward the break-room. He was going to sneak off and go talk to Lanie.

Kate released her pent-up breath, as soon as Espo walked away from her desk. Oh no, she dropped her head into her hands, this is not good. She raised her head and propped her elbow on her desk, drained she rested her chin in her hand. She needed to think.

Later that day.

The elevator dinged announcing someone's arrival. Kate looked up and saw flowers, not me, please do not let them me for me. The delivery guy sat the large bouquet on her desk. She thanked him and when he didn't hang around for a tip, she knew who sent them, it could only be Castle. She grabbed the card, before anyone else did. Geese! Castle, why don't you just fly a banner by plane: Kate and Castle together at last. Kate heard a noise, her stomach dropped, he wouldn't would he. She ran over to the window. It was a helicopter for one of the local TV stations probably giving traffic updates. Kate checked her Dad's watch, it was almost lunch time.

Kate asked Rick to stop sending her coffee every morning, it wasn't she didn't enjoy it, but it was getting harder to explain. She would rather he brought it to her anyway. Now she was going to have to explain the flowers. Babe you are not making this easy. Kate stuck her nose into the flowers, they really smelled good, and some of the flowers she'd never seen before. She looked around making sure she was alone before she opened the card.

Thank you,

Nikki Heat

The Fans love you!

Rick Castle

She smiled, it was generic enough she could let the guys read it; She felt like she'd dodged a bullet, besides the flowers were gorgeous. She replace the card on the plastic pitchfork looking contraption it came on, she left it out of the envelope on purpose. She inhaled the wonderful aroma the bouquet emitted once more before she headed out to lunch.

Kate took out her phone and sent a text.

The flowers are beautiful, thank you.

Babe, it's hard to fly under the radar when

each time someone mentions you name,

I light up like a Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

XO Kate

Rick's phone buzzed, he was listening to Paula tell him about his luncheon. Some literary group from somewhere he wasn't paying attention. His job was show up smile and answer a few questions. He pulled his phone out and read her message. He laughed out loud. Paula stared at him and rolled her eyes. (He wasn't intimidated by Paula's eye rolls in the least,) but Beckett's on the other hand He could write a story about hers.

Castle:

Added to the list of things to do.

Kiss Kate in front of tree at Rockefeller Center.

Get something to eat love.

XO you more.

Kate:

On my way to get sandwich at Deli,

Dinner tonight with Dad.

XXXOOO you more!

Rick:

Call me, after.

XXXOOO

Always.

Kate smiled and slid her phone in her pocket. She was still smiling as she opened the door to the Deli. She studied the selections on the menu board, and then decided on a chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat. She added and a bottle of water to her choice. She paid and placed a tip in the jar.

Kate ate her sandwich watching out the window, daydreaming about her trip to the Bahamas. She was lost in Rick's kisses, his warm soft lips caressing hers. When she realized she was blushing she covered her smile with the palm of her hand, nervously she looked around, she wanted to see if anyone was watching. Kate was used to her writer watching every move she made. She quickly finished eating. She wanted to take a walk before heading back to the precinct.

Kate set off walking; she didn't have any particular destination in mind, so when she found herself standing in front of the swings she was bemused. "She'd come to their swings. She ducked her head. What the hell..." She grabbed the chain and sat down.

When she was a little girl the swings were her favorite piece of equipment on the playground, she would pump her legs, and swing as high as she could, her goal was to touch the sky. She felt free flying through the air, her hair tickling her face as she swung back and forth.

She recalled conversations with Rick, she'd revealed more of herself to him here, than anywhere else. She felt he knew the swings held a special place in her heart. Rectulanty she left the park, and started walking back to the precinct.

Ryan walked over to her as soon as she stepped out of the elevator.

I pulled two more cold cases, these two popped when I ran the search. Ryan handed Kate the file, the more she read the more she agreed with Ryan, on the surface it looked like the same M.O.

"Good work Ryan, Let's pull the cold case file and we will let Shaw determine if she wants to examine them."

The Irish man was pleased with himself. "I thought you might say that, I pulled the cases they are in the conference room, along with the other one."

Kate smiled at him, Thank you Ryan.

He looked at the floor, feeling guilty for the praise. He recalled the Nuns' scolding him for being prideful, so he simply said "you're welcome."

The team was in the conference room going thru the case files.

"Well, it seems we are missing a team member. Agent Jordon Shaw arrived. So….Kate, how's Castle's tour going?" Shaw was a hell of a profiler. She had her sights set on Kate; she wanted to find out if the lovely detective heeded her advice about her writer the last time they worked together.

Kate didn't even bother to ask how she knew, the card on the flowers. Shaw read it. She was a pretty good detective herself.

"I had Ryan check the data base, to look for any other cases that might fit the profile." She felt Shaw's eyes studying her; she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and continued. "Ryan pulled two more cold cases."

Shaw dropped her eyes from Kate and began to look at the files. "I agree. I want to take these case files with me."

Javi started to protest Shaw held up her hand to stop him. "Tyson is a serial killer; the FBI has tracked his movements for the last eight years. These files contain information that may help us determine where he is going to go next. The sick son-of-a-bitch gets off by taunting us. He enjoys leaving little clues hidden in his kills."

The group stood and reflected on the agents comments.

Shaw added, she deliberately quoted Castle "Lets face it we have cooler toys." Shaw changed the inflection in her voice; she was all business, "the super computers allow us to search for patterns, hidden meanings in phrases, names, locations. It would take months of pounding the pavement to discover what the computers are capable of."

"With all due respect, there is a lot to be said for human input. 'We'" Javi pointed to him and the team, "see things a computer will never see." He couldn't help but put in his two cents.

"I agree with you Javi, That is why I'm here personally. I've worked with this team before. I know you will have information in these case files that very well may help us catch him. The information your team has collected is vital to our investigation."

Ryan pursed his lips together; The FBI is giving us a compliment, Wow!

Three agents who looked like they just stepped out of FBI-Or-Us came in and gathered the boxes. These guys attire screamed I'm a FED. Javi would bet a hundred bucks if you followed them down stairs they were going to load the files in a black SUV.

"Kate, a word" Shaw wasn't asking.

The boys looked at her, they let her know by nodding, they had her back, and all she had to do was say the word. They didn't care if it was the FBI, this was their house.

Shaw snickered, "Still very protective, of you I see." Shaw's face was dead serious, "you are a very lucky person Kate. You have a team that would follow you to hell and back and never question why. That kind of loyalty is hard to come by." Her face relaxed a little, so have you acknowledged you're feelings for Castle yet?"

Kate's posture changed hearing his name. Shaw knew, she didn't need to hear the words, but Kate fessed up.

"We haven't told anyone yet. I'm having dinner with my Dad tonight; I'm going to tell him then. We are getting together with the….team, when he comes home." Kate relayed the information quickly, and in a business like manner. She'd worked with Shaw in the past, she knew she would keep the revelation to herself.

Shaw's face softened, "Kate, I've never seen two people who were truly meant for one another until I met the two of you. Congratulations." She turned ready to leave and then turned back around, "Tell Castle I said hello, and I expect an invite to the wedding." She left.

The boys' were close by, they weren't spying, but they wanted to be near if Kate needed them. They poked their head in to see if she was okay.

"She is going to keep us posted." Kate touched Javi and Ryan on the shoulder as she headed to her desk.

The rest of the day was quiet. It was nice to have a break for a change. She wasn't expecting the lull to last much longer.

Kate stepped out of the shower. Getting off at a decent hour, she had plenty of time before her dinner date with her Dad.

After drying and styling her hair, she re-applied her make-up. She dressed in jeans and a pullover; she was still hiding a Hickey. It wasn't a restaurant that required her to dress up. She stood in front of her closet and selected a pair of boots, she slipped them on, as she zipped them up she noticed, this pair only had two-inch heels.

Kate was early, so she sat at the bar to wait, she twirled her napkin as she waited for her wine. She was trying to turn off cop mode, she couldn't help-it she scanned the room and noted the exits and entrances'. When she made the reservation she asked for a table in a corner. She didn't like sitting in the middle of the room, preferring to keep an eye on things. It was the cop in her.

Jim spotted his daughter sitting at the bar. He walked over and kissed her cheek. "Hello, Katie."

"Hi, Dad," Kate slid off her stood and gathered her wine and her handbag. She led her Dad to a table in the corner. "Is this okay?"

Jim nodded, "Yes, this is fine. It's a bit more private." He picked up his menu; he laid it back down and fished his reading glasses from his shirt pocket. He picked up his menu after putting them on. "We haven't eaten here in a while; I wonder if they still have…yes, I see it here." Jim made his choice and laid the menu on the table. He folded his hands and rested them on the table.

"I've been in a couple of times with Ri….um Castle; we grabbed a bite after a late night at work." Kate hid her face behind her menu; she knew what she wanted she was buying herself a little time.

Jim noticed his daughter's slip up, but wisely said nothing about it.

The waiter appeared to take their drink order. Jim chose Iced tea and Kate asked for water.

"I'm sorry I bailed on you Friday." She laid her menu on the table.

"Don't be, I'm just happy you were able to get away, even for a couple of days. I'd like to see you take off more." Jim reached across the table and squeezed his daughter's hand. He knew she had something to say. Joanna would comfort him in the same way.

Kate leaned in closer, "I didn't go to…

Their server was back. Kate sat back in her chair. She waited for him to place their drinks on the table. The waiter tucked his tray under his arm and asked if they were ready to order. Kate looked at her Dad. He nodded he was ready.

They ordered their favorite dish, and the server disappeared once again.

Jim watched as Katie tucked an errant strand of hair, behind her ear, she was biting her bottom lip. He knew she only did that when she was nervous or agitated. He didn't think she was agitated.

Kate decided to spit it out. "I went to San Antonio, but I only saw the airport." She looked at her Dad, he sat calmly listening. She continued "I boarded another plane, and went to Nassau in the Bahamas."

Her Dad was an attorney, but he didn't practice in the courtroom, he dealt with corporate law, so he wasn't as skilled masking his emotions. He didn't have to remain impassive as a client professed their innocence of what ever crime they were charged with.

Kate could tell he was puzzled. "I…I wasn't alone. I went with someone," Kate grabbed her water-glass and took a long drink. Her Dad hadn't like any of her boyfriends, and he'd only met Tom.

"Do I know him?" Jim wasn't really a betting man, but as nervous as Katie was, he suspected he knew who the mystery man was. There was only person who could evoke this response from his daughter. It was about time. He'd noticed the way she talked about him changed over the years. He believed she was in love with him.

"Not formally, but he does want to meet you." She sucked in her bottom lip, and began to chew it.

Jim's eyes were twinkling; he didn't want her to chew her bottom lip off. He thought it best to speak-up. "I'm looking forward to meeting your favorite Author and now boyfriend so it would seem."

Kate stopped chewing, her swollen lip slid from her teeth. "I think you'll like him Dad." Tears threaten to spill from her eyes.

"Does he make you happy Katie?"

Kate shook her head, "Yes" she added dabbing her eyes with her napkin, "He does, I love him."

"Katie, that's all your Mother and I ever wanted, for you to be happy." Jim paused he was trying to find the words. "Katie, you gave up so much when your Mom was taken from us. I know I played a big part in that with my drinking." He paused, "I watched as you gave up your dreams, and then your whole world focused on finding justice." Jim reached for her hand "Katie, I didn't know how to make you see. I couldn't see for a long time, it wasn't until I sobered up." Jim looked into his daughters eyes, he needed her to hear this. "Your mother would not want you to trade your life for hers." He waited a moment and then continued. "You weren't' living Katie. When Castle as you call him first came into your life, I saw a spark of the old Katie, and then I saw the spark ignite into a flame, now I see the torch burning brightly. I'm so very grateful to Rick for giving me back my daughter.

Kate's eyes were tearing again.

"Dad," Kate squeezed his hand. "I never realized what you lost the day Mom died. I knew you guys were close that your love was real, but I never experienced the depth that a person could feel for another, not until I fell in love with Rick." She paused and took a deep breath, "He is a part of me. I know if something were ever to happen to him, a part of me would die."

Jim nodded, he did understand. He was blinking back tears.

The waiter appeared with the food. They let go of each others hand, and placed their napkin in their lap. The waiter placed their entrée in front of each of them and placed the bread basket in the middle. "Will there be anything else?"

"This looks good, thank you." Jim smiled.

Kate nodded.

They picked up their forks and began to eat.

"When do I get to meet Rick officially?" Jim winked at his daughter.

"He is currently on a book tour, when he gets back we will get together for dinner, she circled her fork over her plate. "I have Mom's lasagna recipe, I'll cook." This was good, but not as good as her Moms.

Jim wiped his mouth, "I'd like that Katie."

They spent the remainder of the meal catching up. She told him about the boys' antics and he filled her in with the events of his life. They enjoyed the evening. Kate was excited; she couldn't wait to talk to Rick.