3.
Entering the apartment with three guns at the ready Castle gets the customary "stay here" as they fan out in practiced movements, each taking a room. Knowing this perpetrator is of the nastiest variety, Castle decides he should probably listen for once. After-all Kate is in a relatively small space with two trained officers so she should be safe. As three announcements of "clear" ring through the apartment, one after the other, the three detectives meet in the center discussing their next move. Forty-five seconds in, Beckett becomes fearfully aware that Castle hasn't busted in behind them. Stepping into the hall in search of him she is immediately faced with a worst possible scenario. Their perp is standing behind Castle with a gun to his head and an arm wrapped tightly around his throat. Three detectives immediately have their guns trained on the suspect as he lifts and fires in their direction, sending them all diving for the open door beside them. Simultaneously he drops Rick and ducks out the side stairwell. Peering back out into the hall they see Rick lying motionless on the floor, no signs of breath lifting his chest. Realizing the shot had ricocheted off the steel door facing behind them and right into the center of Castle's vest, Beckett dives to his side. Slamming her lips to his while giving a hit to his chest, she prays to whom ever will listen that he be ok. It's not unusual for a heart to stop temporarily when hit by the force of a bullet through a vest, but with Castle not breathing her mind is lost to that fact until he sucks in a gasping breath. Falling against the wall behind her she thanks her lucky stars and says, "Are you ok? Please Rick, say something."
A pained "ouch" escapes his lips a moment later as they all release a breath none of them realized they were holding.
"You scared the hell out of me, Castle."
A slightly diluted smile washes over his face as he says, "I should die more often if it makes you kiss me."
"Don't ever say that Rick, it's not even remotely funny. There has to be a better way to get me to kiss you."
"Oh really? Are you offering ideas, detective?"
She's grinning as she places both hands on either side of his face, leans in, gives a quick, but thorough kiss then gets up and walks out of the building.
The boys just stand there looking dumbfounded until Espo regains his wits and offers Castle a hand up. After pulling him to his feet, all three follow in Beckett's footsteps.