Guys, I'm sooo sorry it took so long! Really.

"So, how did it go with Lanie?" Castle asked.

"Great! She really believed what I said. What about Ryan and Esposito?"

"They didn't notice a thing. They went 'looking for a file' to discuss it."

Kate laughed. "This is going to be more fun than I imagined it would be."

"Where are we going, by the way?" Castle asked curious.

"To the crime scene. Maybe we'll find something that the other officers didn't." Kate pulled over near a large building.

"He lived here and we don't have an ID?" Castle asked, looking up at the huge, expensive looking building. They got out of the car.

"Nope, he was killed in an alley but I'm sure there are no good parking spots over there," Kate replied.

They walked into the alley and started to look for something, anything that would help them, but after searching every square inch of the alley, they still found nothing.

They walked back to the car. Castle was fidgeting and looking nervous to Kate's hands, to Kate's face and to her hands again. She let out a sigh and stopped walking. Then she turned to him.

"What, Castle?"

"N-nothing," he stammered. She glared at him.

"I- ehm… I wanted to hold your hand, but I really like my life and I don't plan on ending it so soon, so…" he trailed off and started to continue walking. Kate stopped him and took his hands in hers.

"Castle, look at me."

He didn't.

"Rick."

Now he looked up.

"I won't kill you. I'm completely in this relationship, or whatever it is what we're having. Yes, we need to be careful in front of people we know, but… I'm still your girlfriend and last time I checked, it wasn't forbidden for a boyfriend to take his girlfriends' hand. So, stop worrying." Then she leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Do you understand me?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am." Then he smiled and took her hand.

Just before they reached the car, Kate's phone rang.

"Hey, Espo. Got something?"

"Yeah, got an ID on our victim. His name is Edward Johnson. I'm going to find out more about him. I should be finished by the time you guys come back."

Thanks. We're heading back now and we plan on stopping to get something to eat. Should we bring something for you guys too?"

"Yeah, thanks. The usual."

"Okay, see you guys in 30. Bye."

She hung up and they got in the car.

"So, when do we start phase 2?" Castle asked.

"Soon. Just let everything sink in on them before going on."

"But then it'll take so long," he whined.

"It'll be worth it. And now shush, before I change my mind about us."

That worked.

Back at the precinct, 20 minutes or so later

"Hey guys."

"Hey boss, Castle. I heard you got us some food?" Ryan said.

"We did. Can you fill me in while eating or do you need to do that separately?" Kate teased.

"Ha-ha. Funny, but women are not the only ones who can multitask," Esposito replied.

They started eating and Esposito started talking.

"Our vic is nothing special. 32 years old. Not even so much as a parking ticket. He works at a bank; no wife, only child, dad died when he was 9, his mother is on her way in."

Kate nodded sadly, not really looking forward to give someone bad news.

"Did you find any camera's around the crime scene, Ryan?" she then asked.

"Well, there are 3 cams that could be useful, but there's some kind of a problem, so I haven't received the footage yet."

A woman, probably in her early 60's, walked into the bullpen.

"I'm looking for detective Beckett?" she asked.

"That's me. Can I help you?" Kate asked politely.

"I'm Jessica Johnson. I'm Edward's mother. Another detective said it was about him."

"Why don't you follow me and sit down?"

Once they sat, Kate spoke.

"I'm really sorry to tell you, Mrs. Johnson, but your son's body was found today. And I know it's hard, but I need to ask you some questions. Is that okay?"

The woman had tears in her eyes, but nodded.

"Do you know if there's someone who might have wanted to harm your son? Did he act strange lately, or was there anything that might've had to do with his death?"

She thought for a moment, and then shook her head. "No. As far as I know, he didn't have problems with anyone, and everything just seemed fine the last time I saw him."

"Okay. If anything comes up, don't hesitate to call me." Kate stood up and shook the older woman's hand. "Once again, I'm really sorry for your loss."

Kate went to update the murder board. After she was finished, she sat down and looked at it. After an hour of looking and trying to come up with anything, Ryan called her.

"Boss, I got the camera footage. I'm going to take a look at it, but it's quite a lot, so it'll take a while."

"Okay. Esposito, can you check his financials? I'll look into his phone records," Kate said.

"On it, boss."

"Where is Castle, by the way?" Kate asked, not having noticed yet he was gone, thinking he had been getting coffee.

"Oh, Alexis called. Don't know what it was about, but he left," Ryan said, who then turned back to his task.

Kate got a strange feeling. Even though Alexis wasn't her biological daughter, she really cared for the girl. God, I hope she's okay, Kate thought.

At 8 o'clock Kate stood up to leave.

"Guys, I'm heading home. We can go through the phone records and financials in detail tomorrow morning. See ya."

And then she left. But she didn't go home. Instead, she drove to Castle's place. When she stood in front of his door, she doubted. What if I'm intruding? What if Alexis doesn't want me here? Then she shrugged it off and knocked on the door. When Castle opened the door, he had tears in his eyes, but when he saw who it was, he smiled and let her in. Kate wasn't fooled, though.

"Rick, what's going on? Are you okay? Is Alexis okay?" she asked worried. They sat down on the couch.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Kate glared at him. "Okay, maybe not. Alexis had a problem, I overreacted a bit, she got mad, said I didn't understand and- god, I'm a terrible father," he said, and put his head in his hands.

She carefully took his hands and made him look at her. "You're not. I bet a lot of girls wish to have a father like you, and besides, it happens. Teenage daughters get in fights with their parents. But your bond with Alexis is so strong, and no fight can break that." She was silent for a moment, and then kissed him softly on the lips.

"I don't know what it was about, but maybe I can talk to her?" Kate offered.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I don't know if it'll help, but I can at least try, right?"

He hugged her. "Thank you, Kate. Her room is upstairs, second door on the left."

She got up. When she stood in front of Alexis' door, she knocked.

"Dad, go away!" Alexis yelled.

"Alexis, honey, it's me, Kate. Can I come in?"

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, come in."

Kate opened the door and sat with Alexis, who was sitting on her bed, tears in her eyes. She wrapped her arm around the redhead, holding her close.

"You know, when I was young, I had a lot of fights with my dad. Like, big fights. But eventually we made up again. And you know why? Because we love each other and he was just trying to be a good dad who didn't want to see his little girl growing up. You and your dad are the same, Alexis. He really loves you and your bond is really strong. It will be okay. I promise." She kissed Alexis on top of her hair.

Alexis looked up. "I know, but it's just… dad can be so… dad, you know?"

Kate smiled. "I know. And I understand."

"Thank you, Kate."

"You're welcome, Lex. Always."

Hope you all liked it. Reviews are appreciated

-xxx-