Chapter 3

I threw a case into this story to add some substance to it, but the murder is going to take a back seat for the most part. This is a fluff story :p

Kate Beckett opened her eyes and groaned. Why was everything so bring? Oh yeah, she was on the couch. She quickly closed her eyes again and worked on recalling the previous night. Being offered captain, the vodka, going to Castle's. It seemed like she remembered everything. Wait, Castle brought her home. He wasn't still here was he?
She opened her eyes, slowly this time. All she saw was a glass of water and a bottle of Aspirin on the table in front of her, along with a note.

When she sat up she completely forgot to be mad at Castle for going through her medicine drawer and instead popped two of the pills into her mouth and drank the entire glass of water.

After sitting there for another 15 minutes while the painkillers worked their magic, she picked up the note.

"Good morning detective. Your coffee pot is all set to go. All you have to do is press start. Also there will be a surprise at your door at 7:30. –Castle"

As she walked to the kitchen she wondered what kind of surprise it was going to be. She looked at her watch. 7:23. At least she didn't have to wait long.

She pressed the button on her coffee maker and was waiting for it to finish when there was a knock on the door. When she opened it there was a delivery boy from her favorite breakfast place down the street.

"Kate Beckett?" he asked.

She nodded with a dumbfounded look on her face. She knew for a fact that place didn't deliver.

"Then this is for you." The boy said, handing her a bag that felt faintly warm and smelled good. "And it's all been taken care of. You have a great day."

"Thanks, you too." Kate said as he turned around and walked back down the hall.

She set the bag on the kitchen table and peered into it. On top was a white carnation with another note tied to it.

"Yes I know they don't deliver but the owner owed me a favor. Surprise! Enjoy and I'll see you at work. –Castle"

She set the note down and pulled the Styrofoam container out of the bag. She inhaled, it smells so good. Inside were scrambled eggs, bacon and a warm cinnamon bun. She took a bite of the bun before grabbing her coffee and a fork.

Half an hour later the detective was on her way to the precinct when her phone rang. It was Esposito. "Hey Esposito." She answered. "Yeah. Ok I'm on my way." She changed her course to take her to the crime scene. Ten minutes later she arrived at an alleyway between two apartment buildings. Two police cars and the medical examiners van were already there.

She got out of the car and saw Ryan, Esposito and Castle standing a little way off talking to one of the other officers. She met them halfway. "What have we got?" she asked.

"The guy over there," Ryan pointed, "was on his way home from the store, he lives in the building on the right. He was walking by the alley when he heard a scream. He went to see what it was and found a body in the dumpster."

"Lanie is getting the body into the van now. She said she won't be able to tell us much until she gets him back to the lab." Esposito said, handing the vic's wallet to Beckett.

She read the info. out loud. "Jesse Renolds, 31 years old, lived a couple of streets over. Business card says he's an insurance agent. Money and credit cards are still in here, could it have been a suicide?"

"It's possible" Ryan said.

"But not likely" Esposito added.

Castle chimed in "normally you don't scream so much if you jump on purpose."

Kate nodded. "ok, Ryan you go contact the family, see if you can get them to come it. Esposito, start talking to the neighbors on the top couple of floors of that building. Castle and I will go talk to the witness then meet you back at the precinct."

Ryan and Esposito split up while Castle and Beckett headed for the frazzled looking man standing by one of the squad cars. Kate walked up to him and showed him her badge. "I'm detective Kate Beckett, this is R-"

"Richard Castle?" the man said, his eyes getting bigger. "Dude, 'm a huge fan."

"Thanks." Rick said. "I appreciate it, but she gets grumpy when people don't focus."

"Right, of course" the guy said, sticking out his hand. "Dave Shepard, apartment 2B."

"Nice to meet you Mr. Shepard. Can you tell me what happened?"

He nodded "Well, I went to the store and I was coming back a little after seven I think. I was about to walk by the alley when I heard a guy scream and then a thud noise."

"A thud?" Castle asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kate glared at him then looked back at Dave. "Anything else?"

"Um, after I heard the noise I put my bag down and went to see what it was. Guess that's what I get for being curious."

"Yeah, well if it wasn't for you he might not have been found yet. So thank you. And if you think of anything else just give me a call."

Dave nodded while Castle and Beckett headed for her car. Once they were on their way to the precinct she glanced over at him for a second. "Castle?"

He looked at her "hmm?"

"Thanks, for last night, and this morning."

"Oh, don't mention it."

"And I would appreciate it if you didn't mention what happened to anyone."

"Why? What happened last night?" he said, giving her one of his trademark lopsided grins.

She glanced over and saw him grinning and couldn't help but smile herself

When they pulled up to the building Rick tried to get out of the car but Kate stopped him. "Wait. I don't do this very often, but I owe you one for last night, really."

Castle kept her eye contact for a few seconds in silence before saying anything. "Maybe I'll take you up on that, but right now you have a bad guy to catch."

Hmmm, what should Castle make Beckett do for him? She does owe him after all...