I'm so sorry for the long delay, the laptop broke and now all my exams have started. I had my first one today that didn't go too bed. BUT CASTLE FINALE, DID YOU SEE? I won't spoil, but that end... I couldn't stop crying for ages. Thank God season 8 is happening. Anyway, to get you through hiatus, here is the next chapter! Enjoy!

Thank you: Stars90

Disclaimer: Still sadly don't own Castle.

Chapter 11:

Wellington was watching Kate with a smile, clearly pleased with the progress she had made since having met Alexis and Rick. She had told him about Alexis's birthday and the night at the theater, before finishing with announcing that she believed she was ready to take the next step with Rick.

"This is great, Kate," Wellington said. "You've come a long way in these months – really, since you first met Alexis."

"I know," Kate smiled. "Can we still keep this sessions going, though?"

"If you're asking for the help then I will give it to you," he said. "Plus I enjoy hearing of your adventures with Alexis."

"I just don't want them to end and then I go downhill again," Kate looked away. "I can't do that to Alexis or Rick."

"You don't believe in yourself of dealing with your problems alone?" He asked.

"I do," Kate said. "I'm just not ready to let the help go yet."

"You've taken the step of talking to friends from your past," he said. "You're starting to let people in more, Kate. It's fine for now to hang onto these sessions, but let other people in. Rick is there for you and I believe your fiend Lanie is too."

Kate nodded her head. "I'm trying, slowly."

"Even just trying is a huge step," he said. "Let's talk about your birthday tomorrow."

"Alexis and Rick are baking a cake for me," she said. "I'm going to celebrate for her; I don't know if I'm ready to enjoy festivities, it's the first time since..."

"You're just going over for dinner and cake, right?" He said. "That's a great start."

"Yeah," Kate said. "Nothing too over the top and I told Rick not to get me anything."

"You're accepting a present from Alexis?" He asked.

"I couldn't say no to her," she said. "Then they have their secret, which has been stressing me out."

"You've told Rick, though?" He asked.

"Yeah," Kate nodded. "I told him how I hadn't celebrated my birthday since my mom, I know he isn't planning a surprise party or something stupid."

He nodded his head. "What do you think this secret could be?"

"A competition of some sort," Kate said. "A family tradition that they want to include me in."

He paused for a second, watching Kate. "How does that make you feel?"

"Nervous, happy, confused," Kate said. "I don't really know."

"Okay," he said. "I'm sure it's just a game or something, nothing worth stressing about."

"Probably," Kate laughed. "He is determined to beat me at something."

Wellington laughed with her. "Defiantly not worth stressing about then."

"I don't know with him," Kate said. "It could be anything."

The following morning, Kate laid awake in her bed staring at the ceiling. Every year on her birthday it was the same as this, she woke up with the knowledge that her mother wouldn't be here again. She wouldn't come through her bedroom door signing happy birthday with her dad, hands held out with presents and the smell of her cake cooking in the oven. The door stayed shut like it had every year since.

Her phone went off, Kate rolled over to pick it up seeing that it was Rick. A smile formed as she answered the phone call, followed by Alexis singing down the phone to her. Hearing the Birthday song sang to her made Kate cry. She hadn't wanted to, but no one had sung it to her since her mother. All these memories were coming back to her.

"Kate?" Alexis questioned after. "Are you crying?"

"Your voice is beautiful," Kate said. "Thank you, Alexis."

"Happy Birthday Kate!" Alexis said. "I'm sorry my voice made you cry."

Kate laughed. "It's happy tears, Alexis."

"Daddy is telling me to get dressed," Alexis whined. "He wants to talk to you. I'll see you tonight!"

"Have fun at school," Kate told the girl.

"I will!" Alexis said and then there was a shuffle of the phone being passed.

"Hello?" Kate said.

"Kate," Rick spoke. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you," Kate smiled.

"I heard Alexis say her voice made you cry," he laughed.

"It was more how she reminded me of my mom more than anything," Kate said. "No one had sang for me since."

"Oh, Kate," Rick said. "You okay?"

"Surprisingly, yes," she said, trying to let him in. "I have a new little family to celebrate it with now."

"Good," he said. "We'll see you tonight then for cake?"

"Yeah," Kate said. "Then you can finally tell me that surprise of yours."

He laughed. "You've gotten impatient."

"I don't like secrets," Kate told him. "Keep that in mind for next time."

"I guess you don't like surprises either?" He asked.

"Nope," Kate said, then sighed. "Please tell me you haven't done anything stupid."

"No," he said, hanging onto the word a little too long.

"Rick," Kate groaned. "What have you done?"

"You'll have to wait and see later," he said. "Have fun at work, detective in training."

"Rick –" She started, but he had hung up.

Kate threw her phone onto her bed, letting out a frustrated sigh. She didn't want to let it get to her anymore, she got ready for her day at work. Both Lanie and Esposito waiting for her in the precinct when she got there.

"Happy Birthday, babe," Lanie said, hugging Kate as she handed her the traditional blueberry muffin. She stared at the muffin a little longer, it seemed that these past couple of years with knowing Lanie had celebrated her birthday in a way.

"Thanks, Lanie," Kate said.

"Happy Birthday, Beckett," Esposito nodded towards her. "Sorry, but it's a paperwork day."

"Hold that thought," Montgomery said. "We got our next named victim for the mystery serial killer."

A few months back they had a case, someone had gone round targeting victims who all had the same names. It was David Williams', followed by Lucy Johnsons' and now he was currently on Taylor Smith's. The only connection they had was the most common surnames, but they couldn't understand his methods for this. All seven – now eight – bodies had their names written on their foreheads with a stab to the heart. There was reasoning behind it, they just didn't know what yet.

"Another Smith?" Kate asked.

"Yeah," Montgomery nodded. "Happy Birthday as well, Beckett."

"Thanks, Sir," Kate said.

They left with the Detectives to head towards the crime scene. Lanie had disappeared back to the morgue to get what she needed and was meeting them there. It was a young girl this time with no connection to the other victims apart from the same name. However, something was different this time. Investigators had found a fingerprint on her bracelet, where the serial killer had held her, not checking properly.

Everyone around the precinct was sat waiting for the phone call, this case had been going on for a while and they all wanted to catch the guy. They hadn't been allowed to send warnings out to the city for anyone with the same name, but they had a few Smith's and William's at the precinct.

Collagan came in, pinning the picture of the suspect up on the board. This was the first proper lead they had, everyone staring at the picture wondering if he was the killer behind it all.

"Lou Williams," Collagan said. "David William's was his father, who had given him up for adoption since he couldn't handle him. Then Lucy Johnson was his foster parent that hadn't treated him very well. Taylor Smith was one of the other boys there, records of bullying had been filed with broken bones."

"It was just a coincidence then how they all had common surnames," Montgomery said. "Do we know how to find Lou?"

"Owns a factory in Brooklyn," Collagan said.

"Good," Montgomery said. "Beckett, Esposito, the two of you can go check it out."

The two of them exchanged a look, if this guy was there and they brought him down then that was going to look good for the both of them. Thanking Montgomery, the two disappeared excited for the possibility of an arrest. Given the background they knew this was their guy.

"You take front," Esposito said outside the factory. "I'll take back."

"Okay," Kate said, they had already put their vests on and now took out their guns, ready.

She slowly opened the factory door, going in with her gun pointed in front of her, searching for Lou or any signs of a threat. Only the darkness of the factory greeted them, followed by the rusty smell of the metal. Taking her steps slowly, Kate walked into the factory, scanning their surroundings.

They searched the floor, clearing every corner and room before deciding that the factory was empty. Both sighed, annoyed that Lou wasn't here.

"That's that then," Esposito said. "We could always wait around, see if he turns up."

"Yeah," Kate said. "We'll ring back first. Look around for any clues."

Esposito went to reach into his pocket to pull his phone out, his hand freezing at the sound of a trigger being pulled. Kate turned, pointing her gun towards the figure that stood in the doorway of the factory.

"NYPD," Kate shouted. "Put your gun down."

The voice only laughed, taunting them. "Well, I hadn't expected visitors today, or had I?"

"Lou," Kate breathed as he walked towards them. She pulled her trigger. "Stop or I'll shoot."

"You know me?" He laughed. "Took you long enough."

"I will shoot you," Kate warned him again.

"If you do then your partner dies," he shrugged. "You make the call."

Kate kept her eyes and her gun focused on Lou, letting Esposito look the factory around again to check for the all clear. The only answer they needed was the bullet hitting the wall behind Esposito. Kate's arm shook and she stilled it before Lou saw.

"Not clear," Lou said. "I suggest you both drop your guns or the next bullet will be in his head."

Her teeth ground together as she throw her gun to the floor, this was not how she planned on this turning out. Esposito followed behind her, moving his hand from his pocket. They both watched as Lou picked up their guns, throwing them across the factory out of their reach.

"I assume you found the fingerprint on the victim," Lou said. "That was nice of me, wasn't it?"

"Why?" Kate asked.

"It was getting a little boring," Lou pouted. "Why not bring more fun into it with letting the cops chase you? Plus we can get to know each other more. Like, what's your name?"

They both stayed silent, no way was they telling them their names and putting innocent lives in danger. His smile only widened to their silence.

"I had been abused my whole life," he said. "My father, my foster parent and then that boy. The cops did nothing, but move me around to another family that didn't want me. Don't you think the cops should be punished as well?"

"We weren't the cops then," Esposito said. "And we don't know who they were."

"No, but they deserve to suffer," Lou said. "The real David, Lucy and Taylor will eventually see the names of the victims on the news. You can't hide a serial killer from the world forever, not when a cop ends up dead."

"Knowing that they will suffer is better," Lou continued. "They will know I'm coming and then it will be too late for them."

Another man came out of the shadows then, keeping his gun pointed at Esposito as he came forward. He knew Kate wouldn't do anything stupid with her partners life at risk, he had them both trapped.

"Katherine here is stunning," he said. "Even more up close."

Kate let out a startled gasp, they knew her name. "H-how?"

"We've been observing who's been working on my case," Lou said. "It's not that hard to pick up on names or find out."

The man stepped towards her again, running a finger down her cheek as she shivered. It was Esposito who shoved him away. "Don't touch her," he spat.

Lou chuckled, but there was a darkness in his eyes. "Protective."

Now he grabbed Kate by the throat, holding her up against the wall as his mouth curled into a smile that held no warmth. She clawed at his hands, her eyes widening in alarm. Then Esposito was on him, pulling her away before receiving the end of Lou's gun to the top of his skull. His body fell to the ground with a thump. Air rushed back into Kate's lungs, he had let go of her and she crouched next to Esposito, checking him. He was alive.

"Kill her," Lou said. "But leave the other one, let him live to pass my story on."

The large man only smiled, Kate knowing he was going to take his time and do a lot worse. Her body shivered as she turned to run, knowing if she could just get to their guns then they could stand a chance. He grabbed her from behind, her legs kicking at him.

Kate kicked him in the shin and his grip weakened, allowing her to escape. She managed to get away again, not bothering to look behind her as she raced to the guns. He could so easily use his gun on her, but like Lou, he enjoyed the game. Hands gripped hard against her arms, pushing her to the ground as she winced. Straddling her lap, he pinned her arms under his legs with the rest of his body. Grinning, he pushed the strands of hair out of her face, fingers trailing over her features. She spat at him, earning a smack that cut the inside of her mouth against her teeth.

"Stop fighting," he told her. "It'll be quick if you behave."

She didn't stop. Kate wasn't going to go down without a fight. He brought a marker out of his pocket, his fingers running along her forehead. Then the wet pen replaced his fingers, imprinting her name like their victims. His other hand wrapped around her neck, squeezing for her to keep still.

"You know we could always have some fun," he whispered in her ear. "I'll make an exception for you and write your name all over your body. None of the other victims were like you."

A shiver of fear went through her body. His fingers trailing down her neck as he started to write her name again. Kate thrashed her body around, needing to escape from him. Her eyes flickering to his gun. If only she could reach it.

Thinking fast, Kate spat in his face again, her spit and blood dripping down his face and onto her. He turned away from the concentration of her name to glare at her. It only let her receive another hit before he continued with writing her name. The buttoning of her shirt becoming more undone.

"Hurry up," Lou called annoyed. "You don't have time for that."

"Shut up," he told him. "I'm doing all this for you."

She was onto her last resorts and doing something Kate thought she would never do in her career in the police force. Kate screamed like the victim being attacked, screamed like the damsel in distress, like a girl. It was so loud, his hands covered her mouth, shaking her body violently as her head slammed against the ground below. The world spun, but she bit down on his hand, hard. He flinched as his grip loosened and she moved her hands from their entrapment.

Her hands reached for his gun, pulling it out as she fired at him without thinking. Those dark eyes of his widening as he fell on top of her. Kate pushed him aside, seeing the light go out of them. In the distance sirens wailed. She turned to face Lou, seeing him with his gun pointed at her, a look of anger and heartbreak on his face.

"You," he snarled. "You killed him."

Kate kept the gun pointed at him. "He deserved what he got."

With both hands on the gun, her hands started to shake with the world spinning from where she had hit her head. Kate wasn't going to have a clear shot and he saw that.

"I will kill you for this," he promised.

He slowly backed up to the factory door. Kate went to fire her next bullet, but when she pulled the trigger back, she found it was empty. Her eyes widened, watching as he disappeared from the factory.

"Espo," Kate whispered, rushing over to her partner. He was still unconscious, the blood from his head dripping onto the ground around him. Kate ripped off a part of her shirt, holding it to his head. The sirens grew closer, they would both be safe soon. Then Kate looked into his pocket, seeing how his phone had been ringing the precinct the whole time.

"Hello?" She said.

"Beckett, it's good to hear your voice," Tom, an officer, said. "That was a hell of a scream, you okay?"

"I'm fine now," Kate said. "Espo's knocked out, Lou got away."

"We had the whole thing on recording," he said. "They'll be there soon."

"Yeah, I can hear them," Kate laughed, relieved. "We should have brought back up."

"I'm glad you're both going to be fine," Tom said. "We'll talk later."

Kate hung up, tucking the phone back into Esposito's pocket. He was a genius, ringing the precinct like that. A sigh escaped his lips, his eyes fluttering open as he winced.

"Don't get up," Kate pushed him back down. "Help is on the way."

"God, what happened to your head?" He asked.

"More like what happened to yours," Kate laughed, then quieted down. "Thank you, Espo. You could have gotten yourself killed trying to protect me."

"Hey, that's what partners are for," he groaned. "I just wish I could have protected you more."

"You did," Kate told him. "You rang the precinct."

Outside the familiar flashing lights appeared. The SWAT team entered first finding them and the man's body. Montgomery came in behind them, followed by the paramedics as they took in the situation.

So that's the mini storyline that's happening, I hope you like it. It'll be her first big case that might get her to certain places and the mystery man was the first person she killed. Next chapter will be soon!